West Brom block Zoltan Gera call-up
Friday 30th September 2011, 11:31AM BST.
West Brom today told Hungary that Zoltan Gera will not travel for next month’s friendly against Finland after the injured midfielder was asked to attend as a ‘talisman.’
Hungary coach Sandor Egervari included Gera in his squad for the Euro 2012 qualifier on October 11, despite the ankle injury that has kept him sidelined since the summer.
National team medics had offered to take over Gera’s rehabilitation during the international get-together so the 31-year-old, who is the biggest footballing star in his homeland, could help inspire the team.
But Baggies boss Roy Hodgson has given the plan short shrift and said: “He has only joined in two training sessions with the first team since joining us. The rest of the time he has been with the medical staff.
“There is some hope that, during the international break, he will join in with the players who are left behind at some stage, but he is about as far away from playing a game for Hungary as I am.
“I believe that they have made a request, but it’s totally out of the question. Maybe they just want him there as a talisman.”
To read our stories in full, log in to the premium 24 website.
UK Sport
Latest Blog — A week is a long time in football
This time last week we were staring down the barrel, third from bottom with a worse record than at the same stage last year, writes Saddlers blogger Mark Jones.
Saddlers Blog
Business Awards
Book a Business Awards table
Join our celebrations of the region's best in business on Thursday March 22 - book your table now
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Express & Star and Shropshire Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases
OUR NEW APP
Get the new E&S app
Download the Express & Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
expressandstar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
He might as well go its not as if he`s doing anything here is it,dont know why we brought him back in first place,season be over before he plays.
Report abuse
very sensible from roy.though i think if roy himself did turn out for hungary,he may improve them.
Report abuse
1 – thats ridiculous – extra rehab time, training catch up time – of course he shouldnt go
Report abuse