Shorey hopes rival Bouma will return

SOCCER Middlesbrough 2 Nicky Shorey has his fingers crossed Freddie Bouma will be fighting fit next season – even if the England international is still a Villa player.

Left-back Bouma is on the recovery trail in his native Holland, after undergoing a second operation on the ankle he dislocated almost a year ago – although no comeback date has been officially set for the former PSV star.

But it seems unlikely he will be ready for the start of the new campaign, leaving Shorey, whose own future at Villa remains up in the air after an indifferent first season, as the club’s only fit recognised left-sided defender.

Yet despite the possibility of Bouma’s return to action pushing him closer to the exit door, the former Reading man is keen to see the Dutch defender back.

Shorey said: “I was as gutted as anyone when Freddie didn’t come back as quickly as we all hoped.

“We hope he’ll back for pre-season fighting fit. I think everyone wants to see that and I’m no different. Freddie’s a great lad.

“When you’re fighting for positions, whoever gets the nod, you’ve just got to back them fully with your support.

“Hopefully you’ll get a chance down the line.”

Villa manager Martin O’Neill was prepared to sell Shorey in January, but no offers were tabled.

Despite re-establishing himself ahead of right-back Luke Young, it is understood Villa would again be willing to sell – if they were offered a significant slice of the £4.5million they paid Reading last summer.

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This article was posted on Thursday, June 25th, 2009 at 10:56 am.
View more articles about: england, luke young, middlesbrough, nicky shorey, villa.

1
The Bilston Villan

June 25, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Yet more lazy journalism from he ‘Apprentice’. When is he going to get out of the office and visit Bodymoor Heath to get some real information? Martin O’Neill will NOT sell Shorey because;

1. Shorey regained his form towards the end of last season and started to look like the player we paid £5 million for!

2. Bouma is probably 6 months away from 1st team action, therefore no replacement apart from Luke Young!

3. Luke Young does NOT want to play at left back, a fact the ‘Apprentice’ would know IF he actually spoke to the player!

4. It would cost upwards of £6 or £7 million to get another left back into the club, money Martin O’Neill would rather put towards a replacement for Laursen!

This guy wouldn’t know an exclusive if it walked up to him and poked him in the eye.

He needs to get out of the office more!!!!!

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