Fabrice Pancrate is set to be fans' favourite

Nov 23 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Pancrate was on trial with Portsmouth and Sheffield United over the summer but both clubs decided not to take him.

But Hughton believes that the way United play - and the fact that the Frenchman is now in better condition – makes him a safe option.

He played nearly 100 games for Paris St Germain, scoring 10 goals, and he also has spells at Le Mans and a loan period at Real Betis. Pancrate will take squad number 21. Hughton said: “You don’t get many opportunities to take a look at a player like him at this point of the season and I was impressed with him from the start.

“He has a clean slate here and I think that he fits in with how I would like us to play. He is somebody that gives us an added option and I think that it is a good move for both parties.”

Hughton admits that having missed pre-season and the first three months of the season, Pancrate is not yet ready to start games.

But he does not believe it will be long before the well-travelled midfielder is in a position to stake his claim for a starting role.

“He doesn’t have match sharpness yet and he is not fully 100% fit yet, but it won’t take him long to get up to that point,” Hughton said.

“He is fit though and has played training games and obviously in the reserve game as well so we won’t be waiting long for him to be ready to play a big part for us.”