International stars back for Bristol City's big game with Blackburn
BRISTOL City boss Derek McInnes is confident his trio of international stars will be available to face Blackburn Rovers in Saturday's eagerly-awaited npower Championship showdown at Ashton Gate.
Ghana winger Albert Adomah, Republic of Ireland left-back Greg Cunningham and Scotland defender Richard Foster, pictured, were all called up for international duty earlier this month, giving rise to fears they could pick up injuries and be ruled out of City's next game.
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Bristol City's Richard Foster
But Adomah remained at Ashton Gate after being told he was not required for Ghana's African Nations Cup qualifying campaign, while Irishman Cunningham has unexpectedly returned ahead of schedule.
Yellow-carded in the Republic's 2-1 European Under-21 Championship qualifying group defeat to Hungary in Kecskemét last week, Cunningham was suspended for Monday's clash with Italy in Cesarano. Promptly released by his national association, the Irishman resumed training with his City team-mates yesterday.
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McInnes is now keeping his fingers crossed that Foster, called up by Scotland last week, came through last night's World Cup qualifier against Macedonia at Hampden Park unscathed.
City's manager said: "It's good news as far as the international break is concerned. There is always a concern that those players called up by their country could be injured and we are no different to any other club in that respect.
"Although Albert Adomah was initially told he was in the Ghana squad, he was not needed in the end and stayed behind.
"Greg Cunningham picked up a caution and a suspension and that meant he came back to us early. We are now waiting on Richard Foster and he should be back with us on Thursday to prepare for the Blackburn game."
McInnes remains in the loan market for a centre-back. Although his bid to recruit Norwich centre-half Elliott Ward appears to have fallen through, the Scot is still pursuing alternative targets.
McInnes said: "I am still interested in bringing another defender in, but I must stress we are not close on anybody at the moment."
City tried to sign Ward before the transfer window closed last month. Norwich accepted an undisclosed bid and Ward travelled to Bristol for talks on deadline day, but was unable to agree personal terms.
City then tried to sign the 27-year-old on a short-term basis after the opening of the loan window earlier this week. But Ward, not in Norwich's 25-man Premier League squad, is looking beyond a 93-day loan period to a possible permanent transfer in January, and was again unable to agree terms.
Centre-back Andre Amougou, who had a loan spell with City last season, has joined Middlesbrough after being released by Burnley.
Comments
by AussieGeorge
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 10:46PM
“Ashton8 are you i8city 's lovechild ????????????”
by Magger1
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 8:51PM
“Ashton 8 what a fool”
by GermanExile
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 7:27PM
“ASHTON 8 you realy are a joke look at the league tables you oaf .Non league football beckons better you have found your level!”
by Real_Red
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 5:37PM
“News just in
Nanny McGhee is pleased to be informed that he will have a full squad to pick from for the massive top v bottom game away to Gillingham,
After all his players returned uninjured from the world pie eating championships, although Kenneth is complaining of indegestion.
Ashton8
Sevennnnnnnnnnn Nillllllllllllllllllll”
by redcapred
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 4:27PM
“@ Ashton 8 - You are trully in no position to mock.
Thumped 7 nil and 3 nil by city.
2nd bottom of the football league
Have the worlds fattest defender and a striker whose on 7k a week and fires more blanks than the teritorials
Have a previous managers list since the sacking of trolls as a bad penney, saint cams, paul chuckle and now Mark 'Were doing well' McGhee. MM you do realise you are virtually rock bottom, but i suppose for the gas, that is considered to be doing well.
And finally ashton 8, you are welcome to join us at ashton gate next may, were holding our 2nd rovers relegation party in 3 years. And now your gunna believe us..... the Gas are going down!!!”
by Ashton8
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:33PM
“International STARS - LOL
It's OK McInnes - none of your "STARS" were injured
Adomah - "remained at Ashton Gate after being told he was not required" Ho Ho Ho
Cunningham - suspended after being booked in an earlier defeat (Under 21 - Kiddies team)
Foster - was not able to get into the **** Scottish team, not even as a sub
Also good to see how ecstatic the City fans are with the recent City-Rovers game played behind closed doors where a City team consisting mainly players from their first team squad beat a Rovers team "comprising fringe and development squad players". You poor little 82er cherubs are so easily satisfied!”
by Jab_the_cab
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 3:15PM
“To be fair, one unused sub, one suspended and one left at home makes the "International stars" return angle a bit lame doesn't it?”
by Braap
Wednesday, September 12 2012, 8:45AM
“Foster - unused sub.”