|
August 24, 2002
(Saturday) from Jonathan Woodgate Club
Venebles pleased
with Woodgate
Leeds boss Terry
Venables believes Jonathan Woodgate will soon resume
his partnership with Rio Ferdinand under England coach Sven-Goran
Eriksson - providing he remains "his own man."
Woodgate is the player to whom many fans are looking to fill the void
created by Ferdinand's high-profile £30million departure to bitter
rivals Manchester United in the summer.
During Ferdinand's 19 months at Elland Road following his £18million
arrival from West Ham, he and Woodgate rarely figured in the same
game due to the latter's infamous trial and subsequent re-trial into
an assault on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib.
Prior to Ferdinand's move, it was anticipated a formidable centre-
back partnership would be developed with Woodgate, not only for club
but also country for many years to come - only for that to be
scuppered when Manchester United came calling.
But with Woodgate having served his 100 hours' community service
after being found guilty of affray, and as he is now out of the
limelight, an England recall beckons more than three years after he
won his one and only cap.
Although Woodgate is "touch and go" for Saturday's early evening
clash at Premiership newcomers West Brom after suffering a minor
setback in his recovery from a gashed leg, there is still a chance he
could be named in Eriksson's squad on September 2 for the forthcoming
friendly against Portugal.
Venables, though, is imploring Woodgate to forget England for now,
and certainly to forget any comparisons with Ferdinand and whether he
possesses the same talent.
When asked if Woodgate has the potential to be like Ferdinand,
Venables asserted: "I wouldn't even put it in his mind, or even think
about Rio Ferdinand.
"He has gone and we're now thinking about Woodgate, who is his own
man and someone I think will get to the top, without a doubt.
"He started very, very well following my arrival, but then he had
that injury which set him back a little bit. But from what I have
seen of him, I'm delighted.
"He has the possibility of games on Wednesday and Saturday before the
England squad is announced, but I don't think he should be thinking
about England.
"He should be thinking about himself and here firstly, which he is
doing. Then I'm sure if he's needed he will be all right."
With skipper Dominic Matteo recovered from an ankle injury which kept
him out of the Scotland squad in midweek, Venables is likely to name
the same side which beat Manchester City 3-0 in the season opener
last Saturday.
Robbie Fowler, Paul Okon and Michael Bridges are still not ready for
action, but the latter is close to making his comeback after almost
two years without first-team football.
An Achilles injury, but in particular a career-threatening knee-
ligament problem, have proved tortuous for Bridges following his
impact-making debut campaign when he scored 22 goals after a
£5million move from Sunderland.
Venables has been impressed by Bridges' strength of character, and
after watching him score from the spot and set up the other two goals
in Tuesday's 3-0 reserve win over Blackburn, he is convinced the 24-
year-old will play a major part this season.
But the former England boss is preaching patience, and Bridges knows
that is what he now has to exercise as he said: "Physically I feel
very good indeed, very fit.
"I am just waiting now for the chance to play in the first team. But
the lads who are currently in the team at the moment are doing really
well.
"As I have been out for two years with a serious injury I have to
accept I'm still bottom of the pecking order. I just have to be
patient and bide my time.
"But when that chance comes I have to be ruthless and take it."
¡@
Next
article:
Woodgate fit to face Black Cats
¡@Previous
article:
Terry to challenge Woodgate for place in England
defense
<< Back to New and Articles
¡@
|
