Keogh backed for key Wolves role
Tuesday 23rd February 2010, 11:49AM GMT.
Wolves attacker Andy Keogh has been backed to play a role in the team’s new formation.
Manager Mick McCarthy is preparing to welcome the versatile Republic of Ireland international back to full training this week, after a two-month absence with an ankle injury.
His return is timely, as his fellow Irishman Kevin Doyle has been playing in the lone front role for the last five league games since the new system was introduced for the goalless draw against Liverpool.
That was one of two draws gained playing 4-5-1, while there has also been a 1-0 win against Tottenham and two defeats to Birmingham and Chelsea.
But Keogh has some impressive ‘previous’ for Wolves already as the first to play the ‘one up top’ position in the first away game of the season, scoring the winner at Wigan.
McCarthy believes having the 23-year-old available again soon will be another option for him in attack.
He said: “It will be a big boost to have him back, particularly with the system we’re using at the moment, because we played with just him up front at Wigan and he did it very well.
“Andy can play on either side too.”
But McCarthy warned Keogh will not return to contention immediately, with reserve games against Portsmouth and Alvechurch on the next two Tuesdays more likely stepping stones to a senior recall than the Premier League clashes against Bolton and Manchester United over the next 11 days.
The manager said: “He won’t come straight back into full training doing everything, but he will be involved in the sessions. Then he’ll need reserve games to get him up to speed.
“But he’s just come back from 10 weeks’ out injured, and no matter what you do in training, it can’t replicate what you do in a game.”
UK Sport
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