Poortvliet has Viafara concerns
23 Jul 2008 - 13:30:14
Southampton manager Jan Poortvliet believes that Jhon Viafara's form is suffering because he is homesick.
The 29-year-old Colombia international reported back late for pre-season training and has been unimpressive in the Saints' recent friendlies.
Poortvliet revealed: "I have spoken with Jhon and I think the big problem with him is that he is missing his family and he is having a sad time here.
"His family is not here and sometimes you can get down being on your own. But in this team we need players who are involved with what we do.
"I think that we have to talk with him and also to talk to him about his future, about what he wants.
"It is not up to me, because if he wants to play football then we can help him, but when I see him he does not look happy and we have to respect that.
"We have to talk about that. We need players that want to be involved with the club, and it is up to us to help him in any way."