Sinclair's bidding to stay put

Chris Bailey

January 09, 2007

TREVOR SINCLAIR: Feeling strong

TREVOR Sinclair is racing the clock to earn himself one last contract at City.

The former England midfielder is a free agent in the summer after reaching the end of his four-year deal with the Blues and is determined to win an extension.

A 10-game absence due to a knee injury came to an end in the second half of Sunday's FA Cup tie at Sheffield Wednesday and now the 33-year-old is hoping to grab back a permanent place in the side.

That quest has been aided by a hamstring injury to Hatem Trabelsi, who limped out of the draw at Hillsborough.

Sinclair may find himself back in the side from the start at Bolton this weekend, and if so, he will use it as the perfect starting point for his job application.

"I have made it clear that I do want to stay at the club," declared the boyhood City fan.

"It is down to me now to show some good form, first of all get in the side and then stay in it once I am there. I want to put in some good performances to twist the manager's arm to keep me on.

"There is no sense at all of age catching up with me. I feel fit and still do all the running with the lads and I feel I am up with the fittest of the bunch.

"I am enjoying training and there is no way I want to stop playing for the Blues.

"The manager hasn't said anything to me about a new deal yet. He has just told me to work as hard as I can and that is exactly what I intend to do."

Excited

Since joining from the Hammers, Sinclair has been bedevilled by injury but has managed 77 starts and six goals.

He is hoping to add to that tally at home against Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup replay.

Sinclair is the first to acknowledge that a decent cup run would get everyone excited, especially as the draw has opened up nicely, with several all-Premiership ties scheduled for the fourth round while City, if they defeat Sheffield, will have home advantage against another Championship side in Southampton.

"A cup run would be fantastic. We saw that last season and it was a big blow for me to miss out on playing in the quarter-final against West Ham," he said.

"It is still a magical competition but we have to guard against complacency because we know Wednesday will come with the attitude that they have nothing to lose.

"The manager has been banging on about how cup runs are what you remember most when you've retired and reach his age and I know what he means."

Sinclair should be an altogether different proposition for the Owls in a week's time after he has put in some additional training sessions following such a long spell on the sidelines.

"I have not been back too long when it comes to training outside, so I was thrown in the deep end a little bit on Sunday.

"But I felt it ok and I will be much fitter for another week's work," he stressed.

"I don't think I am nailed down to take a place in the side but those extra couple of hours spent on the training ground can definitely make a big difference to stamina and my chances."

Would put a fully-fit Sinclair into the first team? Have your say.

Submit Comments | Comments (95) |

Showing comments 1 to 25 and replies | View All

reidus, sheffield (09/01/2007 at 10:26)

good attitutde. always gives 100 per cent. if he gets a new deal he could play the holding role or cover as right back/wing when pace goes. just 1 yr extension though if he plays well in 2nd half of season.

Cynic, moi?, lets be frank (09/01/2007 at 10:31)

In truth he is another Reyna. Not a bad player, but at 33 all he can do is a holding, containing job. If we keep him don¿¿TMt expect much more. He has lost his pace, doesn¿¿TMt go past players, doesn¿¿TMt score goals and is frequently injured. Another one looking for a final pay day. Now he sees his P45 looming notice how much more available he will make himself though.

Mike, Ashton (09/01/2007 at 10:33)

Worryingly silent on the transfer front. It means either good business keeping our transfer targets secret or it means that since the window shut SP has struggled to draw up a list of realisitic targets. You hope he or Fazackerley or both are locked in an office with five phones on the go, but affording five phones might be a stretch for City at the moment.

chris harris, york (09/01/2007 at 10:36)

Sorry another lame duck,looking for the final big pay day.no i wouldnt renew his contract injury prone and has lost his pace, we have enough injury prone has beens reyna mark 2 ,GET RID

DJ (not Jamo), Chorlton (09/01/2007 at 10:37)

Here we go. Expect Sinclair to put in the best performances we have ever seen from him over the next few months. He'll up his game, get a new contract, then go back to the treatment table. His heart is in the right place, never doubted that. But in terms of mobility on the pitch he is becoming another Reyna. He could do a great job for a rich championship team bidding for promotion, but not in the premiership.

GS, Manchester (09/01/2007 at 10:38)

No and not worth another contract. Injury prone and slow. 77 appearances in three and a half years is exactly the same as Reyna.

Worthy, The Cedar Room (09/01/2007 at 10:41)

Sorry but it's time to hang up yer boots, if ever I've seen a footballer that's over the hill, it's Trevor Sinclair.

peter hirst, glossop (09/01/2007 at 10:48)

It seems hard to believe he's been with us nearly 4 years. As all City fans know, doesn't time fly when you're having fun!

Shaun, My desk (09/01/2007 at 10:51)

Another busted flush like Reyna.He's never quite done it at City apart from a couple of games here and there,which simply isn't good enough at this level and on his wages.Nice
bloke and all that,but players like Sinclair and Reyna etc are not the future of this club. Replacing them however is another matter entirely.

Belinda Argyle, Miles Platting (09/01/2007 at 10:51)

Too injury prone, flatters to deceive despite undoubted effort and lacks pace..........sorry Trevor, despite you being a big blue it's got to be goodbye. Simply has not cut the mustard.

John Fullarton, Dublin (09/01/2007 at 10:56)

I'd give him a one year deal and that's it he is getting to old. He is very experienced and as a City fan you know that he will give 100%. The Only problem is if he can stay injury free!

Bertie Blue Nose, Eastlands (09/01/2007 at 10:57)

City surely hold the cards on this one. I'd have thought no other top-flight club would fancy him, so if Pearce wants to keep him, he should be offered another season only, and on much-reduced terms. Anything else would be folly, not least given his age and injury-prone status.

FG, Sat down at home (09/01/2007 at 11:01)

SWP has turned down a move to the hammers, Come on Shauny we know you want to sign for us really, get SP and Jose to sort a deal out, and get them to knock some dosh off the price because you're cup tied.

Ollie, Guernsey (09/01/2007 at 11:10)

Echo everyone else's sentiments. Old timer, injury prone, only 77 starts in three and a half years during which time 150 games played? We have a thin squad and no finances available so cannot afford to have someone injured 50% of the time taking home a nice pay packet. I understand that Etuhu has been doing well for some time and perhaps his loan spell is to toughen him up for next season. In my opinion it is bye bye Trevor, hello Kelvin and extend Hatem's contract.

Stav, Exiled Chorlton Blue (09/01/2007 at 11:15)

I wouldnt give him anything ,his performances have been a disgrace , about 10 good games in 4 years and then i'll start playing good near the end to get a new contract , is that the plan? Still living off that overhead goal and not beaten his fullback since he came to us! GET RID!

bubba, cleethorpes (09/01/2007 at 11:15)

good bye trev.. mills to follow (please) ... then hamman (please) .... then thatcher (please) .... then dikov (please) ....

who else ? pip...pip... !

Mike, Urmston (09/01/2007 at 11:16)

Send him to the MLS with Claudia.

RatherBeDeadThanRed, Manchester (09/01/2007 at 11:18)

not a good idea to give trev a new deal, hes always injured and on a very high wage. find a new club please trevor.

I Boycott, At home (09/01/2007 at 11:30)

Old and crocked has proved to be a poor formula for City players.

Nice bloke but not available enough to justify a new deal.

Bye.

W.Nuss, von buemplitz (09/01/2007 at 11:31)

Ask yourself this question. If it was Alex Ferguson, would he be offered a contract ?

Mike, Cheadle (09/01/2007 at 11:34)

If he's that eager to play for his 'boyhood club' (like that matters these days) offer him a pay as you play deal with win bonus (similiar to the deal that Forest gave Nicky Summerbee a few years back) but no no no no and no to a hefty flat wage that he can spend in the Trafford centre while recovering from another injury. Time to draw the line like we should have with Reyna a year ago.

Ann Robinson, Kippax Street (09/01/2007 at 11:41)

You are the weakest link goodbye.

Prestwich Blue, Manchester (09/01/2007 at 11:55)

Should have only been given a two year contract to start with so he's effectively had a two year extension. He's given his heart and soul but there have to be limited opportunities for a winger who can't beat his man and can't cross, even in our team.

Edski Vega, Notts (09/01/2007 at 11:56)

He can play 10 games a season max yet he earns in excess of Â£2m a year I imagine (inc bonuses). He has given very little and is not a threat. He rarely even delivers a final ball. His goal ratio is poor, he is slow, his tricks don't fool anybody, he's past it.... other than than a nice bloke, I'm sure Mr Pearce has a five year contract in his drawer waiting for Trev to sign. (P.S on Â£3,000 a week wages - the amount a championship club would pay him if he left us)

Phil, Sheffield (09/01/2007 at 11:58)

I don't see how we can justifying giving Trevor another contract given his injury record over the last 4 years.

()

Manchester City Premier League champions 2011/2012