Reyna set for return

February 14, 2005

INJURY-PLAGUED Claudio Reyna is on course for a long-awaited Manchester City first-team return after being lined up for a second-string outing on Friday.

The 31-year-old United States skipper has been restricted to just seven appearances this term after undergoing groin surgery in November when he broke down in his attempted comeback from the initial injury.

Though Reyna has never produced the form Kevin Keegan felt the midfielder was capable of when he swooped to capture the New Jersey-born player from Sunderland in August 2003, his absence has still been keenly felt by a wafer-thin Blues squad.

And Keegan is optimistic that providing Reyna comes through a reserve-team clash with Middlesbrough, he will be in contention for at least a place on the bench for the televised encounter with Norwich at Carrow Road on February 28.

"Claudio will play for the reserves on Friday and we will assess him after that," said Keegan.

"If he doesn't suffer any kind of setback, he will be involved in some capacity against Norwich, although whether that will be in the starting line-up or on the bench remains to be seen. You have to remember he has only played seven times this season."

Will you be glad to see Reyna back? Can he boost the squad? Have your say.

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Richard, France (14/02/2005 at 15:40)

"Long-awaited" by whom?

Stu, Manchester (14/02/2005 at 16:01)

I wouldn't play him in a pub team, the only good thing going for him is he is from the USA, USA, USA...!!!!!

True Blue, Galway,Ireland. (14/02/2005 at 17:09)

Why consider Reyna for the Norwich game when there are plenty of fully fit,rearing to try their best,youngsters in the reserves.The golden oldies cannot last a full game,which is required when the struggling teams take City on,and too often get the better of also.Wise up Kev for your last few months.

Nicky, Leeds (14/02/2005 at 17:56)

I welcome him back! I'm not his biggest fan in the world but any midfielder at the moment would be a help.

We were crying out for Reyna yesterday when Sibi had to go into a holding position.

Please tell me sibi and macca will not be offered new contracts at the end of this season, they are useless. 'Sibi: known in france for his aerial ability' - love to see him use it.

Tuomas, Turku,Finland (14/02/2005 at 18:51)

I welcome the reuturn of Reyna. He is a smart player and a much better passer than Barton or Bosvelt. Also, we do not exactly have an abundance of midfielders. However, like so many of Keegans buys, he is over-30 and injury-prone.

Ernie, Virginia (14/02/2005 at 22:26)

Claudio Reyna I hope will be 100% fit.
Reyna has played some intelligent and brilliant football for the USA against some top International sides, he has proved himself, but he has got to prove it to the CITY Supporters.

Good Luck Claudio!

Miffed, Anywhere (15/02/2005 at 09:31)

sorry to the reyna fans, but what does this guy offer?. 1) he is injury prone 2) he has no physical presence 3) he cannot tackle (shys away from them) 4) he has no pace 5)he cannot head the ball 6) he does 5 yard sideways passes (and often misses the intended target!. No disrespect, but Barton has his faults but offers some aggression and Bosvelt, whislt age is against him is a very intelligent player who breaks down the opposition.
Reyna just does not do it for me and Ernie, sorry but he may have been decent for the USA, but he has done nothing for the blues and I put him down as another bad buy.

Baz, Radcliffe (15/02/2005 at 10:20)

Woopey doo,now we're sure to win the title now he's back,not.

RJKS, Stretford (15/02/2005 at 10:24)

Next thing you'll hear is Sommeil will be making his LONG awaited comeback?

andy, th'oldham (15/02/2005 at 11:48)

Sommeil, Reyna, Sibierski?, McManaman, De Vliger, Bosvelt, Negouai, Ellegaard should all do one in the summer. Let the kids play or we have nothing else to look forward to.

adger the blue badger, deepest staffs (15/02/2005 at 12:37)

the only good news is that it means an extra squad player who may or may not be used, to put him into the Norwich game appears bizarre and another blow to the "kids" already warming the bench.
seems more sensible to give CR 2 or 3 res games to prove fitness then decide .

Eric Jonker, Zoetermeer, NL (15/02/2005 at 12:38)

Reyna was not able to show what he can do because of his injuries. Before slagging a Cityplayer off while still wearing the blue shirt, I like to see what he's capable of doing now he's back in full fitness and has a run of games.
Dunne came back from the dead, Fowler is much more appreciated now among fans, same for Bosvelt.
Come on guys, give the lad a break and welcome him back.

steve, Swinton (15/02/2005 at 13:15)

i agree with andy from th'oldham. if we're strapped for cash how can we afford to have squad players on big money! mcmanaman, reyna, sinclair, negouai, sommeil. there wages must total up to at least B#100,000 a week which is 5.2m a year which we desperately need and how much have they played. if we're supposedly making a small operating profit then doing this would increase that profit considerably. bosvelts had a great season but i think he'll be too old next season and we need a creative player in that position to partner barton. we've also got flood and croft who could do with a proper chance in the team. onouha and jordan are definitely ready to replace mills and thatcher who both look rather poor. bradley wright will need another season before he's ready. if we build the team around james, distin, dunne, jordan, onouha, barton, swp and fowler then there's the 2 midfield postions and a partner for fowler left that we need to either buy or try the youth.

Sal Farra, Bury Lancs (15/02/2005 at 13:30)

What I saw of Reyna when he had a run of games looked good. If he doe's return to match fitness expect "King Kev " to drop Joey.

Andrew, Brentford (15/02/2005 at 15:08)

Don't worry boys, he hasn't been fit for more than three weeks at a time since he signed so the chances are he'll be on the sick bed again long before the Norwich game! Here's hoping anyway cos he wouldn't get in City reserves in my book!

mrwiskas, yermamshouse (15/02/2005 at 16:16)

I feel sorry for Reyna as he's never been able to play a run of games for us and a fully fit Reyna would easily be the best central midfielder at the club. On the brightside though if he does play take 15-30 minutes on the spread betting for how long he lasts. I believe the club are betting on the same thing as well they usually bring him back when the bank come a knocking

Miffed, Anywhere (15/02/2005 at 17:08)

Out of interest, I know a, lets say "physio" at city and I undertand that there were 2 players signed pre 2003/04 season which the then physio (cant remember his name), had concerns about and recommended that the deals did not go through, but KK proceeded regardless and the physio subsequently left the club. We signed 2 players at the death that pre-season....Reyna and Macca. Both have had either major injuries or big problems.

Sam, Bath (15/02/2005 at 21:56)

Reyna will bring the goods this time around. He owes it to the city fans and to his US fans following him in the Premier. I know you can't live on credentials but before you give up on his ability speak to the Celtic fans that hate him as a former Ranger. How many Englishmen were 2002 Worldcup all stars? If he doesn't come through this time he will have to retire...

J, Manchester (16/02/2005 at 11:44)

Miffed - Unfortunately, we have a long history of signing 'unfit' players.

barry, happy valley, california (18/02/2005 at 17:33)

If this lad can get fit he can be a big help to the blues. Reyna is a classy passer and hard worker. At Wolfsberg he was captain, at Rangers he took all the free kicks and corners, at Sunderland and City he's been
plagued by injury. As a United fan I was hoping we would sign him rather than Veron. Claudio is much more productive and while he won't make the highlight show he will be a fan
favorite for his all round team
play. If you are not familiar with this lad, don't comment on
him, Claudio is the real deal
(when healthy).
w

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