11 June 2007
http://www.irishexaminer.com/irishexaminer/pages/story.aspx-qqqg=sport-qqqm=sport-qqqa=sport-qqqid=34785-qqqx=1.aspIrish ExaminerConnolly to leave as Keane lures Nugent
By Phil Campion
SUNDERLAND boss Roy Keane could use Irish striker David Connolly as a bargaining tool in his attempt to sign Preston goal machine Dave Nugent.
It was reported a few days ago that Sunderland offered former Birmingham City striker Stern John to North End but boss Paul Simpson wants Connolly, who to Roy Keane’s dismay has not been part of Stephen Staunton’s international plans.
Sunderland are one of a host of clubs showing interest in Nugent who has been valued at €9m and wants to leave Deepdale following Preston’s failure to win promotion to the Premiership.
Connolly is a proven goal-scorer at Championship level — scoring 98 goals in 245 games,
but the 30-year-old former West Ham striker struggled in the Premiership with just one goal in 19 appearances.
The 5’9” striker, who played 41 games for Ireland, scored on his Premiership debut for Wigan in the summer of 2005 but failed to find the net in his other 18 appearances for the Latics that season before joining Roy Keane at Sunderland. Nugent earned a call-up to the England squad in March when he scored on his international debut against Andorra and McClaren told Nugent he needed to be playing Premiership football if he was to further his international ambitions.
Preston chief Simpson said: “There’s been a lot of speculation going around again but when we have something to tell everybody about David Nugent we will tell everybody.
“We are not hiding anything. As much as the rumours are circulating around, until there is anything definite then we have got nothing to say about it.
“We had all the kit for pre-season delivered on Monday and we will be marking David Nugent’s kit up for him because at this moment I am expecting him to come back to us.
“I’m hoping that he comes back to us, but in a way it will be out of our hands, we can’t do anything. We are not trying to sell him, we’ve got him here and we want it to stay that way.”
Nugent, who was eligible to play for Ireland, is part of the England Under 21 squad in Holland for the UEFA Under 21 Championships.
Didn't know Connolly was 30; hopefully this trade may not involve Stern.