Appy still to decide if Kanu’s career has still got legs
Pompey striker Kanu Picture Robin Jones
Michael Appleton has told Kanu: I need you to be fitter to get back into my plans.
The veteran Blues striker has not featured lately and has made the squad just three times since Appleton’s arrival back in November, with his last appearance coming way back in October at Ipswich.
The gifted Nigerian last started a match in the 0-0 draw with Bristol City way back in August, and has just one goal to his name this season – an equaliser after coming off the bench at home to Cardiff a week later.
While a back complaint has affected him recently, Appleton admitted it is general fitness that currently means the 35-year-old has been deemed surplus to requirements – even though his Pompey contract runs until the end of the 2012-13 season.
Appleton said: ‘The thing with King (Kanu) is he has been carrying a bit of a back problem for a while now.
‘To be fair to him, he has trained for the majority of the past couple of weeks and he is getting a little bit fitter.
‘But it was just a sheer fitness thing with him at one point.
‘He wasn’t really able to finish a few of the training sessions and my concern with him is that when you train within the smaller areas, King is King – his touch and little short passing can be very good.
‘But if I need him to go on with 15-20 minutes to go, I’m not sure he can get about the field when we really need to stretch a team.’
Whether Kanu – who famously scored Pompey’s FA Cup winning goal back in 2008 – can force his way back into the reckoning will depend on his fitness and injuries to Appleton’s other strikers.
But the Blues boss knows that time is not on the former Arsenal striker’s side as a glittering career nears its end.
He said: ‘It’s probably down to a bit of both with regards to injury and his age but I think the injury has cleared up. From an age point of view, he is getting to that stage of his career where he is the wrong side of 30 these days.’
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Comments
There are 28 comments to this article
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norbertbleu
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 03:11 PMIt's generally accepted that Kanu is 44. His true age was common knowledge when he was given the ludicrous contract he now enjoys.
MileEnder
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 02:22 PMDL has always come across an honest bloke so i think that the reason our CEO isnt speaking to anyone is because either he has been gagged by AA and told not to speak to anyone or worse he has been suspended. We know they fell out during the transfer window when AA was trying to sell but DL wasnt available. AA even said he would findout what had happened and take any measures needed. Maybe DL is getting a lot of stick from the fans when he isnt at fault. Just a thought!!!
Durninlager
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 01:10 PMI though he was able to trigger a year extension at £30k a week but offered to accept a 3 year contract at £10k with a view to moving into coaching.
DunKirk
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:49 PM@23. Can understand where your coming from but to me where I have lived a life of information is mind boggling to say the least. Many years ago I was floating around some cold South Atlantic waters with aircract and missiles being thrown at me and my fellow mates and yet throughout this, our leader gave us regular updates, good or bad and we found that it kept us together as a unit, now thats what I call leadership
DunKirk
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 12:44 PMA great player and has served us very well since his arrival, but hes never been fit and thats not likely to change any day soon and probably should have never been offered this rolling contract, if in fact thats what he is on. Time to go son, live your life in peace and harmony
spectre
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:43 AMthe reason why news is scarce is probably because everyone is doing their best to keep pompey afloat in these circumstances there is no point in feeding news to fans that might or might not be true in event . no news from fratton is good news it has to be good .when news does come we will either be sunk or afloat only one of those bits of news is welcome so we need to wait .hard as it might be but i think imho very one connected with the club are doing their best to see that when it does come it will be good news the best thing the fans can do is unite behind the cause 5000 so far but thats peanuts where are all the other so called fans when they are needed pup pfe
carisbrooke
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 11:29 AMPoor old Appy, this little gem just goes to show hat happens when a manager feels obliged to give the press a comment, but can't talk about what is really on his mind. Yes KK you should quietly and gracefully retire into the sunset, thanks for the memories.
zorro900
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 10:26 AMALTHOUGH the King has given us some goals, and excitment since he first got here I really think it,s time he hung the boots up,in fact he should have gone earlier( about 2 yrs ago) yeah sure he,s got the magic but in todays game, for him it,s " cart horses against race horses" Thanks for the service KK but it,s time to say farewell.
Alan Knight
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:29 AMI think we all know who the real mattyc is. I think we all also know that the person duplicating the name is a scummer and really ought to do one and get a life.
MattyC
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:23 AMA complete waster of space, shoud've retired years ago. Another one sucking the life out of pompey with his over inflated wages.
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:17 AMPost 18 - LOL Mr B............... as you are not me but I know who you are!!!!
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:14 AMToday is Thursday in the week that AA said is the last chance to save Pompey and something has to happen. It is the week in which BC was supposedly flying in to do something. It is another week whewre our CEO seems totally AWOL................................ but at least we know that Appy want Kanu to get fitter................ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz .............................will Pompey disappear forever with barely a mention in any press anywhere?
whizzkid
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:11 AMRather than pushing Kanu to play, I would like to see him working the GW in advacing the skills of the forwards and attacking midfielders. Yes some of his skills are of course innate, but I still think he can usefully "coach" others.
slinger101
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:04 AMWe may well need him, as Etuhu's contract is on a month by month basis with it being reviewed every month by the football league as to his staying or not.
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 09:01 AMAre there any new roads being built near by??? If so maybe DL is helping hold up one of the bridges???? Either that or he has been having violin lessons in readyness!
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