Hughton will ask Joey to have a little patience

Mar 5 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

He said: “It’s very much about getting everybody fit for when they are fit. I would prefer to have him for as many games as we can this season, whether it’s for the last five or last 10.

“At the moment, we are not desperate to get him back in because of what we’ve got. Nicky Butt is back at the weekend and we have options in there. That might not change, but it might do.

“There’s always something in this game that smacks you in the teeth when you have everyone available. At the moment, we are not under pressure to bring him back and that affords us a little bit more time.

“When he’s fit he will improve the squad. He’s been out for most of the season, but the bottom line is he’s a good footballer.”

Meanwhile, Hughton will not be telling Alan Smith to curb his combative spirit even though the United skipper is just one yellow card away from a two-match suspension.

Hughton feels it would be counter-productive for Smith to change the way he plays and suspects he would be wasting his breath even if he did ask the former Manchester United man to alter things.

He said: “We’ve had a word with Alan, but we’ve just told him to carry on what he’s been doing for us this season.

“He’s a player of great enthusiasm and determination and when you’ve got that type of player, what you don’t want to do is take away a big part of their game.

“He’s a very competitive player and that’s what we continue to want from him.”

:: JACK Rodwell remains confident England Under-21s can qualify for next summer’s European Championship despite the disappointment of Wednesday’s defeat by Greece.

Rodwell, charged with trying to support lone striker Andy Carroll in the 2-1 loss, admitted the team did not play to their potential. He said: “We play two back to back. Hopefully we’ll come back stronger.”