Jones back from injury... Spann now at Sunderland
By: Shaun Fuentes (TTFF).
English-based striker Kenwyne Jones is back from a calf strain and made his first appearance for Southampton on their preseason tour of Norway last week in a 4-1 win over Kvik Halden. Jones made a 70th appearance in the win and is slowly working his way back to full match fitness for his club which narrowly missed out on promotion for the Premiership.
Jones has been the topic of a move to a Premiership club but Southampton manager George Burley quickly commented that the big striker was not for sale.
“It’s nice to know that you are in a manager’s plans for the season,”Jones told TTFF Media on Thursday, “It gives you confidence but in this modern day age everyone has their price as well so I just have to take that into considering and just do my job on the field.”
“Kenwyne Jones is not for sale - it is as simple as that. He is a very key member of the squad for next season. He is young and full of potential and has all the attributes to be a top-class striker,’” Burley had earlier said at the end of last season
The former W Connection and St Anthony’s College hitman says he’s feeling in good shape at the moment and is looking ahead to the new season when he intends to arrive at the 20-goal mark.
“Preseason has been shaping up nicely and I’m in good health. I’m looking forward to having a more fruitful season this time around. We were unlucky to miss out on promotion and it could be a bit harder this season seeing that our squad is a bit thin this season.
“I am aiming for and hope to reach the 20 goal mark this season. I think if it wasn’t for injury, I could have reached that last season and if all goes well this season I think I can get there” he added.
Jones has not given thought only to club these days. “I do miss playing for my country. It is one of a player’s greatest joys and I do hope whatever happens that we will be able to do so again at some point,” Jones concluded.
While Jones is getting ready for his season, the Sunderland trio of Stern John, Dwight Yorke and Carlos Edwards had another “Trini” among them this week. Triallist Silvio Spann was invited for a stint by Sunderland manager Roy Keane. Having been on trial at Sheffield United with goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams where both men received good remarks from manager Bryan Robson, the two were unable to go on a tour of Ireland due to work permit issues which Robson says will hopefully be sorted out before he can decide on any deals. Spann then got the link with Sunderland. He had a good look around Sunderland on Thursday with John and Edwards. Meantime T&T national team captain Densill Theobald left Trinidad on Thursday for Hungary where he will begin his one-year deal with Ujpest FC, heading straight into preseason training.
“The club is having a look at him and hopefully for his sake something good can come out of his time out here in England for the last couple weeks,” Edwards said.