Bolton Wanderers defender Zat Knight returns from injury, Newcastle United striker Leon Best out for the season
Zat Knight returns for Bolton Wanderers
Zat Knight, the 30-year-old Bolton defender, revealed he was hoping to make a return to the first team in the clash against West Ham United over the weekend. He was well aware that he would have to fight for his place in the first team after being sidelined
since February, 2011 with a knee injury.
He seems to have recovered now and the player featured for the Bolton reserves in the clash against Blackpool on Tuesday. He is now expected to make an appearance for his side against the Hammers in the English Premier League clash this Saturday.
Almost week after Bolton host West Ham, they take on 10th placed Stoke City in the semi finals of the FA Cup. While his return has been welcomed by Bolton boss Owen Coyle, he is aware he will once again have to earn his place in central defense.
Knight said while speaking to reporters, “It felt good to get back on the pitch. I've really enjoyed it and the boys were fantastic out there. As for myself, I've come in with a clean sheet so hopefully I can step it up again on Thursday and Friday so the
manager can make a decision on Saturday, but I'm happy to be back part of the team.”
He revealed he had been making progress in training and had felt no trouble playing for 45 minutes. Knight insisted the decision was entirely up to Owen Coyle but said he had done well playing one half with the reserve side, which secured a 3-0 victory.
He continued, “I've felt good in training and I felt good out there for 45 minutes, but until I get myself out there in the Premier League you're not to know if I can play the full game. It's nice to get 45 minutes and we'll see where the rest takes us.”
With Knight’s return the Bolton boss will have to decide which pairing he prefers in defense. He could either continue with David Wheater and Gary Cahill and use Knight as a substitute, or he could consider replacing Wheater with the more experienced Knight.
Leon Best out for the season
Leon Best, the 24-year-old Newcastle United striker, is set to undergo an ankle operation which will successfully sideline him for the remainder of the season. He has been in excellent form this season, scoring six goals in 10 starts in the Premier League.
However, he was unable to feature for Newcastle in their last two fixtures due to injury.
After consulting with the Newcastle medical staff, the player was advised to go to London for an operation. He is expected to recover in three months time, which means he will miss the rest of the season. The news will not only come as a blow to the club
but to the striker himself who had recently just begun to establish himself after the departure of Andy Carroll to Liverpool in the January transfer window.