Turner's Ainsworth dilemma
29 Nov 2007 - 15:49:43
Hereford United manager Graham Turner says he was left with little option other than to sanction the exit of winger Lionel Ainsworth to Watford last week.
The 20-year-old netted eight goals in 19 games for the Bulls following his arrival in the summer, but has moved to Vicarage Road on loan, with a permanent deal likely in the January transfer window.
Turner feared that the Hornets would recall Toumani Diagouraga and Theo Robinson from Edgar Street if he decided not to rubberstamp the Ainsworth deal.
He told the Hereford Times: "We certainly had a dilemma last Thursday with the inquiry from Watford about Lionel Ainsworth.
"In the end, I had to sit down and look at the equation following their guarded threats about Toumani and Theo returning to Watford in January.
"It came down to Toumani, Theo and money on one side against Lionel on the other.
"It was still a difficult decision, but ultimately I felt that we had no real option but to accept the circumstances and do the deal with Watford."