Jewell: No Dreaded Call From Fulham
Monday, 26th Sep 2011 10:50

Boss Paul Jewell says Town have not received the dreaded call from Fulham requesting David Stockdale’s return to Craven Cottage despite Mark Schwarzer suffering with a back spasm during Saturday’s 0-0 draw at West Brom. The Blues keeper, on loan from the Cottagers for the season, is subject to a 24-hour recall.

Jewell said: “We were made aware that Mark had a bad back but, touch wood, we’ve not heard anything yet.

“We are at the mercy of that 24-hour recall, we understand that and it’s always a constant thought on my mind.”

The Town manager says the Blues are investigating alternatives should the call come but with no specific target yet in mind: “I wouldn’t say we’ve anyone lined up but it’s difficult to try and get a goalkeeper [in these circumstances]. However, I think it’s really important that we’re proactive in case that eventuality happens.”

Schwarzer, who picked up the injury when he collided with team-mate Steve Sidwell, is confident he’ll be fine to play in Thursday’s Europa League match against Danish side Odense: "It was a back spasm but hopefully that’ll be it. I’ve had some treatment.

“I landed on my arm with it behind my back, so it was a bit painful but hopefully it won’t be anything major.”

The Australian admits he was considering making way for sub Neil Etheridge on Saturday: “I was thinking about coming off. Etheridge would’ve been disappointed he didn't get on."

Closer to home, Blues boss Jewell expects Jason Scotland to be involved in training this morning, despite limping off in the closing stages at Boro on Saturday: “Jason got stamped on accidentally.

“I was going to make a different substitution but when I saw Jason get the knock it made sense to bring him off. He was in yesterday, a little bit stiff, but hopefully he’ll be OK for this morning.”

The Town manager also anticipates Ibrahima Sonko making a rare training ground appearance today: “Hopefully he’ll train this morning. He deserves great credit Sonks. I wasn’t joking when I said he’s played more games than he’s trained.

“Basically, we’ve wheeled him out there to play. The physio deserves a lot of credit and so does the lad himself.

“After the game on Monday I thought he had no chance of playing on Saturday because the injury was quite nasty. But the physio’s worked well with him and through his desire and determination, he’s got through the game.

“I think everyone can see he’s tiring at the back end of games but his power and his presence is getting him through.”

Photo: Action Images

Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.

Page:
1
2

SouperJim added 10:56 - Sep 26 Phew! ALB starting would be a disaster.
0

rosseden added 11:16 - Sep 26 fair play to Sonko, sounds like its been pretty bad and hes done us proud.....
0

broomfield123 added 11:19 - Sep 26 So no plan b with the goalkeeper. Great here we go
0

itfc1981 added 11:28 - Sep 26 Just like Osborne, no Plan B.
0

bluepeter added 11:38 - Sep 26 What hurt Sonko, Kyriptonite?
0

Tillz9 added 11:43 - Sep 26 A lot of fans from Sonko's previous clubs were laughing when we signed him but so far he has been excellent and showed real desire and commitment. Really pleased with how he has started here.
0

Mutiny added 12:12 - Sep 26 Why use loan players in the first place - loan players does not equal long term team building, just a short term fix.
0

Pessimistic added 12:16 - Sep 26 I think Sonko has made a significant difference to Town's defence and with Danny Collins also showing some grit and determination allied to his with undoubted football brain, there are real signs of progress in this department, as two successive clean sheeets will surely testify.
0

Mark added 12:35 - Sep 26 Sonko has been an outstanding signing, to think we got him for free and he apparently took a huge pay cut to join us. I would certainly be pleased if we would extend his contract by a year or two now he has settled in and knows he likes it here.
0

Keaneish added 12:41 - Sep 26 I'd rather Richard Wright than ALB.
0

Garv added 12:49 - Sep 26 Wish people would stop insulting Lee-Barret because of 1/2 bad games towards the end of last season. Before the Norwich game he had never put a foot wrong.
0

tomisamos added 12:55 - Sep 26

You bring in loan players when you don't want to waste money on a player who might not be any good or might just get injured (the risk we took with Bullard, it massively paid off), if you have a long-term plan to buy them, or if they are a class above anything you already have (Stockdale and Andrews) and will help you towards your long-term acheivement, which would mean more money, Premier League football and therefore more players willing to join your team, most players of Stockdale's quality don't want to come to the Championship, but will go for a year if it means returning to the Premier League the next, either with your team you've helped get promoted or your own. We couldn't have bought permanantly many better keepers and we really needed one!

irishtim added 13:05 - Sep 26 we need stockdale well dpne sonko 4 playing shows he cares
0

simonsays added 13:07 - Sep 26 It was poor management getting rid of Fulop without having a decent backup. Jewell is meant to be an experienced manager. What was he thinking? Never would have happened under Keano.
0

Matteo_Sereni added 13:10 - Sep 26 ALB at Upton Park would be a disaster!
0

scooterblue added 13:17 - Sep 26 time to get a new keeper in then.
0

SouperJim added 13:25 - Sep 26

@Garv "never put a foot wrong" is incredibly generous. Yes, for a time he had done a job for us without looking out of his depth, however, he had numerous dodgy moments before the Norwich game that he got away with, crosses that he flapped at etc. The defence had rather shaky confidence in him and it was obvious to me why. This has a big impact on how we defend. I have no issue with Lee-Barret, I'm not insulting him and am happy to have him as a back-up keeper, however, I don't think he should be starting games at this level and I'm not alone in my assessment.

pmason added 13:48 - Sep 26 " I'm not insulting him and am happy to have him as a back-up keeper, however, I don't think he should be starting games at this level " thats probably the biggest insult you could give a goalkeeper ?? ALB = BAD NEWS = RID OF HIM JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT JEWELL OUT
0

ventilator added 13:54 - Sep 26

Hmmm...ALB hasn't played for us this season so far has he ??? Seem to recall similar comments about suitability being said about Jas Scotland all through the summer. And yet he seems to be the new Messiah now. Maybe ALB is quietly learning from Stockdale (England's number 2 after all), and maybe strong defence would help his confidence as well. If he was still looking as bad as people claim, then I would suspect PJ would have farmed him out by now.