Blues boss Paul Jewell says winger Lee Martin is back in the fold having spent a week training with the U18s in the wake of his second sending off under Paul Jewell’s management. The Town manager made his frustration at Martin’s poor disciplinary record public after the former Manchester United man’s dismissal for a reckless challenge at Peterborough.

Jewell says he has talked with Martin, who was sent off at Bristol City at the end of last season and was booked 11 times during 2010/11, and the matter is now closed: “I spoke with Lee about it. I don’t like slating players publicly, it’s not what I want to do, but I felt I might get a positive reaction out of him.

“He let us down, let himself down, let everyone down, but that’s been dealt with. He had a week’s sabbatical training with the youth team and his attitude in that week was outstanding, [U18s coach] Russell Osman told me.

“At the end of the day, I said what I said and he knows what I feel about the situation, I’ve been straight with him. I don’t like saying it to the media, but I did because I was angry at the time and felt that was maybe the best way to get a reaction. Only time will tell.

“Lee’s a good player but he’s got to curb his discipline, he’s no good to us sitting in the stands.”

Martin, who is available again after his three-match ban, probably won’t get the chance to return to the side this weekend due to illness: “He’s had tonsillitis for the last two days and he’s been told to stay away as we don’t want that spreading around the camp.

“Like any player, if they’re giving their best and they’re fit then they’ll be considered, but I think Lee knows where he stands with me now if he didn’t know before.”

Photo: Action Images

BotesdaleBlue added 08:53 - Sep 23 It's up to you now Lee...
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simplesuffolkfarmer1 added 09:00 - Sep 23 A bit of aggression is just what we need at this club. And anyway I don't like PJ having a go at Lee considering it was never a red card
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HarryfromBath added 09:01 - Sep 23 I agree with BotesdaleBlue. We could have an excellent left side with him and Cresswell teaming up. There is a terrific opportunity for him with our central midfield looking so much more solid.
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blueherts added 09:02 - Sep 23 Yep Cressie and Martin could be exciting - dont forget CARSON as well on other flank !!
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alexsmith111 added 09:08 - Sep 23 CaN anyone tell me why carson wasnt even on the bench on monday?
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brittaniaman added 09:30 - Sep 23 It seems ages ago he last played, he was unlucky with the international break and games spreadout, if he had been suspended like last week his games suspended would have been mon. sat. tues. instead of a month
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davidsc1971 added 09:36 - Sep 23 As close to an apology as you'll get from a manager - whilst PJ might not have been right to slate him in the first place this looks well handled now. It's been explained and put into context. Challenge set, time to impress
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Lesta_Tractor added 10:37 - Sep 23 @ simplesuffolkfarmer1 It may not have been a red card but the challenge and his behaviour were reckless so I feel PJ was right to punish him. I'm glad he is back in the fold and I really hope he can deliver.
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DiamondGezzer added 10:40 - Sep 23 Let's hope the inforced break helps him to curb his rashness [ is that a word - well you know what I mean, stop him being so rash - that's better ].
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Pessimistic added 10:44 - Sep 23 I agree with PJ that he has control his aggression but that was never a sending off and if it was not for his poor disciplinary record Town would surely have appealed against it. He made contact with the ball before the man so technically it was not even a foul!
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HarryfromBath added 11:00 - Sep 23 I have studied the game on DVD, and the punishment was completely disproportionate to the crime. However, Lee simply should not have dived in when the degree of danger (ball by the touchline, etc) was non existent. I would greatly stress that the catastrophe was not all down to him, but the sending off may prove to be cathartic. Here's hoping...
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Garv added 11:57 - Sep 23 Wasn't a foul, fact.
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Mark added 13:04 - Sep 23 Martin earns an awful lot of money so should keep his discipline. It is indeed up to him now to put this behind him and make an impact for the rest of the season. As for Carson, I wonder if Jewell is trying to bring him down to earth a bit based on previous comments and his huge wage demands that apparently came from his agent.
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 13:08 - Sep 23 A bit of a resemblance I think :)
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simonsays added 13:09 - Sep 23 It wasn't a reckless tackle and should have been appealed. As for forcing him to train with the youths, that was ridiculous!
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irishtim added 13:41 - Sep 23 welcome back lee show us what u can do for d rest of d season
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are_these_the_days added 14:19 - Sep 23 DiamondGezzer 'Rashness' perfectly good language Btw shouldn't that be DiamondGEEZER?
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pmason added 15:42 - Sep 23 Its always good to have a horse in the team ....
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jas0999 added 17:43 - Sep 23 PJ got this wrong. A harsh sending off and slating players in public is not on. Roy was slagged off on here for it - so why should we accept it under PJ?
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Mutiny added 18:49 - Sep 23 Childish Jewell - grow up!
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Back_The_Boss added 09:55 - Sep 24 Its up to Martin to prove his worth now.
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