Early in April this year Republic of Ireland and Coventry City Midfielder, Keith O’Neill’s broke his leg in what was five places in a freak training ground accident. O’Neill (Last cap v Macedonia (sub) 9/10/99), has been plagued with injury after injury keeping him from any regular football at all. His main injury has been his recurring hip problem. And he was hopeful that he could regain match fitness in time to put his name in the hat as potential cover for Ian Harte at left-full in the Irish World Cup squad. That did not happen. But the good news is that his leg is healing well and that the plaster was removed two weeks ago.
And Keith has started light fitness work, including swimming and similar light exercises. Although O’Neill is not running yet it is likely that the player will be back in action before Christmas. It will be fair to say that O’Neill may not feature in the European Championship 2004 qualifiers, which kick off this September with the Republic of Irelands first game away to the Russians
Transfers’ – Fact or Fiction?
It had been on the cards for a while now that if Palace didn’t advance to the Premiership for season 02-03’, that Clinton Morrison may be on his way without them. Well now Birmingham city are discussing the possibility of Clinton Morrison coming to St Andrews in a transfer that sounds all the more crazy now. Reports from Crystal Palace are that Clinton is worth about GBP£5mil. But Steve Bruce and co. are not willing to not willing to pay all up front, but instead first a lump sum, and then the rest depending on appearances.
And with “El Tel” Venables already aiming high at Elland road as the new Leeds boss, he seems rather confident that Rio Ferdinand will remain at the Yorkshire club. But Robbie Keane who is still on extended Summer Holidays, due to his World Cup commitments, does not appear to be on of the top of the ex ITV presenters agenda. So back to Peter Reid at Sunderland, who has yet to fill the void left by Niall Quinn as a future striking partner for Kevin Philips? Reid is still hopeful that he can tempt Keane to the Stadium of Light
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