Sidwell will shine says Shorey

donny2 Villa defender Nicky Shorey has urged the club to dismiss any attempts to lure away team-mate Steve Sidwell – because they have yet to see the best of the midfielder.

Fulham have been linked with a £5million move for the former Chelsea man, who spent most of his first campaign in claret and blue either on the treatment table or substitutes’ bench.

But Shorey saw Sidwell’s quality first-hand during their time together at Reading and has backed the former Arsenal trainee, currently the Villa player most likely to fill Gareth Barry’s shoes, to come good this term now he is injury-free.

The left-back said: “I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. Last season was a strange one for Steve, he was out injured for long periods and picked up niggles here and there. I don’t think he’s ever had that before.

“For as long as I’ve known him he’s never really been injured, so I think that was something new for Steve to try to learn from.

“Hopefully he will have a good pre-season and then we’ll see the best of him and I think everyone will be impressed with how well he can do.

“Steve just keeps on going. He’ll be fine. There’s no worries on that count.

“He’s just an all round good midfielder and I’m sure he’ll show that before too long.”

Sidwell’s only sustained spell in the side came in the winter, when Martin O’Neill switched to a 4-5-1 following John Carew’s injury.

In the end, he made just 11 Premier League starts last term.

See Also:

This article was posted on Thursday, July 2nd, 2009 at 10:36 am.
View more articles about: arsenal, chelsea, claret, fulham, gareth barry, john carew, nicky shorey, premier league, steve sidwell, villa.