KEVIN Keegan is in no hurry to see the back of Scotland international Paul Ritchie.

The Blues boss admits he turned down a tentative proposal for the defender to go out to Nationwide League side Coventry on loan and is adamant that the former Hearts and Rangers defender will not be forced out of Maine Road.

"I got a phone call from an agent asking me whether or not I would let Paul go to Coventry on loan and would we pay most of the wages," revealed the manager. "I said no."

"I don't particularly want Paul Ritchie to leave here. The only reason he would go is that he is at the age where he needs to play football.

"I know one thing, as I found out at Newcastle last year - if I need Paul to go into the fray and put in a performance for us, he will do that.

Terrific

"He is a terrific professional but he just has to bide his time. He may well move from here eventually but I am not trying to shove him out of the door. It is just his age and that he needs to be playing."

Despite impressing on the pre-season tour to Denmark, Ritchie has not figured at all this season and only two cup starts last term after recovering from injury.

Both one of his former clubs, Bolton Wanderers and Preston North End, where ex-Scotland chief Craig Brown is now at the helm, have expressed a recent interest in the defender, although they have not met City's valuation.

Coventry, though, could come back with a late offer now they have sold David Thompson to Blackburn.

Sympathetic

Keegan is not unsympathetic to Ritchie's situation but has others in the same boat and has made it clear that he expects them to stay upbeat and ready to take their chance if it comes.

"The players currently on the fringe must work hard at keeping fit, keeping their spirits right and making sure they do not give me a reason not to get them on the coach to go to away games because they are getting down," he said.

"Basically they have to do what they are paid to do and that is be very professional and wait for the opportunity - that's the basic requirement of a professional footballer.

"People like Paul, Lucien Mettomo and Gerard Wiekens here are in that position and they are all terrific professionals. They are not all knocking my door down saying they should be in the side but they are coming and saying they are going to get fitter and stronger and that they should be in. I have a terrific set of lads here now."

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