Bru Back on Bench as Downes Out Until After Break
Monday, 25th Sep 2017 15:15

Town boss Mick McCarthy has revealed that midfielder Kevin Bru will be back on the bench for Tuesday’s home game against Sunderland with Flynn Downes out until after the international break.

Downes, 18, suffered a thigh problem in training last week and missed Saturday’s trip to Leeds.

“He won’t be available until after the break, he’s tweaked his thigh,” manager Mick McCarthy said at his pre-match press conference, which was covered live by TWTV.

“We’ve got no new injuries, we’ve got one or two tired legs, that’s for sure.

"Tristan Nydam came in and he was brilliant, but he played on Tuesday [for the U23s], he played on Saturday, but he’s trained today.

"They’re not injured, we’ve just got one or two aching, tired limbs, as you’d expect.”

McCarthy says he could look at freshening his side up with his squad now having more strength in depth as players return from injury: “I’ve certainly considered that.”

Bru was told he could find a new club at the end of last season, wasn’t given a squad number ahead of 2017/18, however, the former Levski Sofia man was unable to secure a move before the transfer window closed at the end of last month.

The 28-year-old made a number of appearances for the Blues in pre-season but his only games during the campaign proper were for Mauritius at a tournament in India last month.

“Kevin Bru’s on the bench tomorrow,” McCarthy confirmed. “He’s kicked a ball for us this season because I’ve Flynn Downes and Tristan Nydam, who in my view are equally as good and are going to be better.

“And they’re the future of the club. So Kevin was put on the list, but he’s been great, he’s trained really well and I’m sure he’ll be delighted to be involved.”

If the Paris-born schemer impresses should he get on the field could he get himself back in his manager’s plans? “Up until Christmas, yes, he’s here, he’s our player.

“He said to me today, ‘I’m here’. But I haven’t needed him and I told him he could go in the summer and that will be the case in January, unless he comes in and rips it up and gets five or six goals between now and then.

“Good luck to him. He’s been a model professional considering. He’s never had his nose pushed out though, he’s trained pretty much every day with the first team and he’s been kept involved. But he’s a great lad, so he’s on the bench.”

Central defender Adam Webster played for the U23s as they were beaten 2-1 at Coventry this afternoon as he continues his comeback after an ankle injury, while Tommy Smith (hamstring), Luke Hyam (knee) and Andre Dozzell (cruciate) all remain sidelined.

McCarthy said last week that Emyr Huws (achilles) and Teddy Bishop (groin) should be fit after the international break.

Meanwhile, the Town boss dismissed yesterday’s report which claimed he is keen to sign free agent former Bolton midfielder Jay Spearing: “I saw it. No, I’m not looking for any midfield players.”

Photo: TWTD

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runningout added 15:39 - Sep 25 what's going on.. starting to smell like last season
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WeWereZombies added 15:40 - Sep 25 Paris-born schemer? Has Inspector Clouseau joined TWTD's reporting team?
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nhabo added 15:41 - Sep 25 Kudos to Kevin Bru. A few players over the past few years who haven't reacted in the same professional manner when in a similar position.
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TimmyH added 16:26 - Sep 25 Even stranger decision why Mick played Nydam on Saturday considering he played in mid week for the U23's and now has tired legs!...hang on they're young and energetic, should we really be moaning about tired limbs so early in the season? If Bru gets on tomorrow as a sub he'll have to give it everything (as Mick says)...last chance saloon for him unfortunately.
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BlueMachines added 16:27 - Sep 25 That must hurt Muck big time
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bigolconnor added 16:46 - Sep 25 haha. i said at the beginning of the season that Bru should stick around.
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Seasider added 17:03 - Sep 25

I mentioned recently about Kevin Bru,and how I felt sorry for him not being given a squad number.

Not sure whether he will have a numbered shirt when he sits on the bench tomorrow;but am very pleased that Mick is including him,and also Kevin must be made up about it.

Never thought he was that bad a player,and if he gets on,playing in the present side should suit his style,especially if Celena is also on.

itfchorry added 18:00 - Sep 25 Shame McCarthy will be on the Bench
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Edmundo added 18:08 - Sep 25 Sunderland are there to be picked off. If we can beat the strugglers and teams still finding their feet in this division then we can look up. Football is getting better, more exciting players to pick from. Let's get behind them: gotta love Tuesdays under the lights!!
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crawford1962 added 18:26 - Sep 25

What I fail to understand is why take an obviously talented player like Celina on loan & not play him? MM gives the impression that because he is not the box-box midfielder he prefers is that he would never had George Best as an automatic first choice either. Also, why is Wagthorn sitting on the bench when after the first 3 or 4 games he was our leading goalscorer. We have players now in the squad that should be told ' you can take this lot to the cleaners', not worry himself silly about what the opponents will do.

Lathers added 18:34 - Sep 25

To be fair, Bru is picking up 8 grand a week or whatever we pay him to do nothing other than train, get massaged and eat the lovely food prepared for the team. I think most people would show a good attitude! What a life! It's the players Bru will be sitting next to on the bench tomorrow I have an issue with... as in they shouldn't be on the bench. Waghorn and Celina have to start tomorrow against a team in the bottom 3. We have to go hard at them from the 1st whistle.

BlueMachines added 19:27 - Sep 25 Mark me down all you want. Terrible management. We are going to pick up his wages until he signs for someone else. Yes by all means state he is on a free, but to give him no number and publicly state he will never play for you again was pointless. He now needs him. Another example of poor man management.
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