Upbeat Jones on comeback trail

Sep 9 2008 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

KENWYNE Jones remains on target for an early October comeback and Caribbean compatriot Carlos Edwards has revealed the striker’s mood is “positive” as he nears his return.

The Trinidad & Tobago forward (pictured left) is edging closer to a return to full contact training as he recovers from the knee ligament injury suffered in a collision with England goalkeeper David James back in May.

It is positive news for Black Cats manager Roy Keane, who still hopes to have Jones back in contention for the trip to Fulham on October 18. While the addition of Djibril Cissé, El-Hadji Diouf and David Healy has added Premier League know-how to Keane’s attack, Sunderland would certainly benefit from the aerial threat and physical presence offered by Jones.

No one has monitored the striker’s progress more closely than his friend Edwards, who suffered a similar knee injury when he was playing for Wrexham in 2005. After completing a painstaking recovery process Edwards made a full recovery but he was once again cursed by injuries last season – suffering a broken leg and a hamstring strain that left him unable to make anything like the kind of impact he made on the Championship.

Those injuries have created a

legacy that has carried onto this season, with Edwards now finding himself down the pecking order and fighting for first-team opportunities.

Edwards’ season of misery gives him a unique perspective on Jones’ situation, and it has helped him lend a hand to his close friend.

“Kenwyne is there in training trying to be as positive as possible. We see him every day in training and Kenwyne is still the same Kenwyne,” he said.

“Hopefully we can help him to recover quicker.

“I have never wished any injury on anyone because I know what’s it’s like and I had a similar injury a few years ago.

“I missed a big chunk of last season, that’s behind me and I’m looking forward to the new campaign. Football is part of our lives.

“He knows he has to work hard and I’m a good friend and I wish him a speedy recovery.”

With the season just weeks old Edwards is yet to break into Keane’s plans, but he believes his hunger and determination should secure him an opportunity soon.

“I want to be in the starting eleven and play my part. It’s a big year for me and I’m looking forward to it,” he said.

“The manager has spent big money and the players have come to the club to win things. Most of us here in the squad are not on the biggest of wages but we are committed to making Sunderland into something big and to get the club challenging for Europe.

“We wanted new players of quality and that’s what it looks like we’ve brought in. That’s not taking anything away from the team that was here, though.”

As Sunderland wait on the fitness of one of their star strikers, one of the men responsible for their off-field transformation has announced his resignation.

Chief executive Peter Walker, who has been with the club 10 years and has performed a key role in the smooth running of transfer negotiations, is leaving to take up a similar role at Omega PLC.

His departure is amicable and chairman Niall Quinn paid a handsome tribute to the man originally appointed by Bob Murray.

“We successfully talked Peter out of leaving about 18 months ago as I really needed him to help us during the important and transitionally period after the takeover of the club by Drumaville,” he said.

“I have had to reluctantly accept his decision on this occasion but for the record although he is not one to look for credit, I think supporters should know of the important work he has done behind the scenes for this football club.”

SUNDERLAND defender George McCartney is doubtful for Northern Ireland’s crucial World Cup qualifier against the Czech Republic in Belfast tomorrow after suffering a hamstring injury in the 2-1 defeat by Slovakia at the weekend.