Source: FOOTYMAD
Ferdinand time with Republic of Ireland Under-19's 'not ideal'
As midfielder Kane Ferdinand prepares for more time on the bench out in Romania for the young irish, Southend United player/coach Graham Coughlan has made it clear it's not great for the team. Graham Coughlan: 'Ferdinand hasn’t had many minutes on the pitch' The Shrimpers young midfielder Kane Ferdinand has hardly been out of the news this summer as clubs are believed to be queuing up to gain his signature, the trouble is they don't seem to want to make an actual offer, and now he's spent the last couple of weeks on duty for the Republic of Ireland in the under 19s European Championships, so missing all of Southend's pre-season schedule! The Irish youth team take on Spain in the tournament's semi final Friday and player/coach Grahsm Coughlan confirmed the Shrimpers are concerned by yung Ferdy's lack of actual game time; 30 minutes in the first group game, only five in the second, and bugger all in the third (see articles below for the Ferdinand's full Romanian saga.) Coughlan told www.echo-news.co.uk: “Kane has come on as a substitute in two of their games so far and hasn’t had many minutes at all which is a worry. We did give him a fitness programme to work to while he was out there and, although he’s naturally a fit lad, it’s certainly not ideal for us." If the game doesn't go well for Ireland maybe Easyjet can lay on a special flight to allow Ferdy to get back for the Canvey friendly Saturday! However, it will have to be a late one; while the Czech Republic will take on Serbia at the Football Centre FRF in Mogosoaia at 18.45 local time (17.45CET), the Spain v Republic of Ireland last four fixture will be played two hours later at Chiajna's Stadionul Concordia. Both games will be shown live on Eurosport. For a full preview of Ferdy's semi-final: www.uefa.com/under19/matches/season=2011/round=2000079/match=2008078/prematch/preview/index.html
