Post by QPR Report on Mar 5, 2010 7:54:39 GMT
Someone I seem to remember we wanted in the Summer
Plymouth Herald - Plymouth Argyle to sign Burnley defender Eckersley
Friday, March 05, 2010, 07:00
PLYMOUTH Argyle are set to complete the signing of Burnley defender Richard Eckersley on a one-month loan today.
Should all the paperwork be completed, the 20-year-old could make his debut against Preston North End at Home Park tomorrow (3pm).
Eckersley, who signed for Burnley from Manchester United last summer, trained with the Pilgrims' squad for the first time yesterday.
It is a timely capture for Argyle head coach Paul Mariner, whose limited defensive options have been further reduced by a groin injury to Reda Johnson.
The centre-back hobbled out of the 4-3 defeat away to Sheffield United last Saturday.
And Mariner fears Johnson will not only miss the visit of Preston, but also the away game against Queens Park Rangers next Tuesday.
Eckersley, a graduate of Manchester United's youth academy, can play in the centre of defence or at right-back.
Mariner said: "He's a player that is going to come in and give us options we haven't really had.
"And it's an ideal time that Richard is joining us because of the injury to Reda Johnson."
Mariner added: "You can see why Burnley got him. He's very mobile and, technically, he's very good. He should be ideal for us."
Eckersley made four substitute appearances for Manchester United – twice in the Premier League and twice in the FA Cup.
He was also an unused substitute for the 2009 Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, which the Red Devils won on penalties.
The Salford-born defender was offered a new contract by the Old Trafford club last summer but, instead, opted to sign a four-year contract with Burnley.
Manchester United were entitled to compensation as Eckersley was aged under 24, but a fee could not be agreed.
It was finally decided on Monday, when a Football Association tribunal ordered Burnley to pay £500,000.
Eckersley has yet to make his debut for the Clarets in the Premier League, but has made three substitute appearances in cup competitions.
The last of those came in a 2-1 win away to MK Dons in the FA Cup third round on January 2.
That was Burnley's last match before Owen Coyle quit as manager to take over at Bolton Wanderers, and was replaced by Brian Laws.
So Eckersley has not yet had a chance to show Laws what he is capable of at first team level.
Mariner added: "I'm pleased, and very grateful, that Brian has let him (Eckersley) out to us."
The imminent signing of Eckersley means Argyle will, almost certainly, not be pursuing any further interest in Derby County defender Jermaine Johnson.
The 19-year-old played on trial in the reserves' 2-0 'home' win against Forest Green Rovers at Tiverton Town FC on Tuesday.
ARGYLE'S players will wear black armbands against Preston in a mark of respect for Michael Foot, who died on Wednesday aged 96.
The former Labour party leader was a lifelong supporter of the Pilgrims and a club director between 2001 and 2005.
ARGYLE'S Championship clash against Newcastle United at Home Park has been moved to Monday, April 19 so it can be televised live on Sky.
The game had been originally scheduled for Saturday, April 17 but will now take place two days later, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/ARGYLE-SIGN-ECKERSLEY/article-1887875-detail/article.html#ixzz0hHpeGsqX
Plymouth Herald - Plymouth Argyle to sign Burnley defender Eckersley
Friday, March 05, 2010, 07:00
PLYMOUTH Argyle are set to complete the signing of Burnley defender Richard Eckersley on a one-month loan today.
Should all the paperwork be completed, the 20-year-old could make his debut against Preston North End at Home Park tomorrow (3pm).
Eckersley, who signed for Burnley from Manchester United last summer, trained with the Pilgrims' squad for the first time yesterday.
It is a timely capture for Argyle head coach Paul Mariner, whose limited defensive options have been further reduced by a groin injury to Reda Johnson.
The centre-back hobbled out of the 4-3 defeat away to Sheffield United last Saturday.
And Mariner fears Johnson will not only miss the visit of Preston, but also the away game against Queens Park Rangers next Tuesday.
Eckersley, a graduate of Manchester United's youth academy, can play in the centre of defence or at right-back.
Mariner said: "He's a player that is going to come in and give us options we haven't really had.
"And it's an ideal time that Richard is joining us because of the injury to Reda Johnson."
Mariner added: "You can see why Burnley got him. He's very mobile and, technically, he's very good. He should be ideal for us."
Eckersley made four substitute appearances for Manchester United – twice in the Premier League and twice in the FA Cup.
He was also an unused substitute for the 2009 Carling Cup final against Tottenham Hotspur, which the Red Devils won on penalties.
The Salford-born defender was offered a new contract by the Old Trafford club last summer but, instead, opted to sign a four-year contract with Burnley.
Manchester United were entitled to compensation as Eckersley was aged under 24, but a fee could not be agreed.
It was finally decided on Monday, when a Football Association tribunal ordered Burnley to pay £500,000.
Eckersley has yet to make his debut for the Clarets in the Premier League, but has made three substitute appearances in cup competitions.
The last of those came in a 2-1 win away to MK Dons in the FA Cup third round on January 2.
That was Burnley's last match before Owen Coyle quit as manager to take over at Bolton Wanderers, and was replaced by Brian Laws.
So Eckersley has not yet had a chance to show Laws what he is capable of at first team level.
Mariner added: "I'm pleased, and very grateful, that Brian has let him (Eckersley) out to us."
The imminent signing of Eckersley means Argyle will, almost certainly, not be pursuing any further interest in Derby County defender Jermaine Johnson.
The 19-year-old played on trial in the reserves' 2-0 'home' win against Forest Green Rovers at Tiverton Town FC on Tuesday.
ARGYLE'S players will wear black armbands against Preston in a mark of respect for Michael Foot, who died on Wednesday aged 96.
The former Labour party leader was a lifelong supporter of the Pilgrims and a club director between 2001 and 2005.
ARGYLE'S Championship clash against Newcastle United at Home Park has been moved to Monday, April 19 so it can be televised live on Sky.
The game had been originally scheduled for Saturday, April 17 but will now take place two days later, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/sport/ARGYLE-SIGN-ECKERSLEY/article-1887875-detail/article.html#ixzz0hHpeGsqX