Sousa criticises absent Bodde

29 June 2009 18:57
New Swansea manager Paolo Sousa has criticised Ferrie Bodde after the Dutch playmaker failed to report for pre-season training. His absence comes after the Championship outfit turned down an offer from Bolton for the 27-year-old, with Bodde believed to have been keen to move up to the Premier League. While Sousa has criticised Bodde's conduct, the Portuguese coach insists the star midfielder - who is currently in the final stages of recovering from a knee injury - is still very much part of his plans. Sousa said: "Ferrie's a great player but he needs to be a better professional. "He (needs) to have more respect for his colleagues, for the club, for myself and especially for himself as a player and as a professional." He added: "We want to see how (Bodde's) knee is after the operation, to integrate him into our squad. "We believe Ferrie can play a high standard and we want him playing for us. I would welcome him back to be part of our squad, he's a talented player who can get us our results."

Source: SKY_Sports