http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/4038979.stm Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan is keen to tie two more of his young stars to extended Eastlands contracts. Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton and Willo Flood have all agreed new deals this season. And next in line for the former England coach are full-back Stephen Jordan and Wright-Phillips' brother Bradley. "It gets tougher and tougher holding onto young players today and I want them both to stay with us," Keegan told the club website. Keegan is looking to safeguard City's future beyond the end of his own contract, which expires in 18 months' time. While 19-year-old Wright-Phillips has been restricted to a single substitute appearance so far, Jordan, 22, made his fourth successive start in last weekend's win at Portsmouth. Jordan has stepped into the breach left by Ben Thatcher who has been ruled out for three months following ankle surgery. "You have to give Stephen credit because he has waited a long time for his chance," added Keegan. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Now this is a step in the right direction for the club. Just hope no more over the hill chancers are recruited to the ranks.
The return of Nicky Weaver http://www.mcfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=241303&Title=Nicky+Weaver+set+for+return Nicky Weaver is set to play his first competitive game for over a year for the City reserves next week. Asa Hartford's table topping side are due to play against Liverpool next Tuesday but the fixture is in some doubt. The Merseyside outfit has asked for a postponement due to the club's Champions League commitments. A new date has not been decided or if the fixture will be downgraded to an Academy match. Whatever the outcome Nicky Weaver is set to take up his place between the posts as he bids to end his injury nightmare that started back in March two years ago. He made one senior appearance last season in the Uefa Cup qualifier against TNS in Cardiff but a revolutionary operation on his injured knee at the turn of the year sidelined him for the rest of the season. Now he is poised for a return to action which could lead to him going out on a loan period to boost his match fitness. "Liverpool have asked for the game to be moved as they are playing on the Tuesday. "They want to play it on the Thursday but I don't as we have a game on the Saturday," explained Kevin Keegan. "That is the game we have earmarked as the one we want Nicky to come back in as he is ready now. "His spirits are good. He has been a real breath of fresh air around the place and he has worked very hard. "He is ready and now he needs some games. We will wait and see what happens with the Liverpool fixture. "I wouldn't be bothered if the match becomes an Academy game I will still put him in goals." "It may be that we will then loan Nicky out. He will need games and he will need them at a level where he has been before. "He has played in the Premiership and what was then the First and Second Divisions with the club. "While the first few reserve games will be okay for him I wouldn't consider them right to give him a good run. So if it suits us and another club we could loan him out for a month." The progress of the former England U21 will influence the manager on what to do about the goalkeepers in the squad. Ronald Waterreus will decide next week whether to take up the offer of a contract extension that will keep him with City next year. Geert De Vlieger remains on the sidelines with his injury and will not be back until February at the earliest while Kevin Ellegaard is waiting to know if his current contract that ends this season will be extended. "I think until Nicky Weaver gets a few games under his belt and Ronald Waterreus comes back to let us know if he is staying beyond the New Year then we have got to leave the situation as it is. "We need to know too when Geert De Vlieger will be back as well as he has had a slight setback. "For the moment we have to keep the five keepers here and then later we can decide what we will do. "Kevin Ellegaard's agent has been talking to me about my thinking but I have told him it will be Christmas before I know what we will be doing. It may be that we put him out on loan." -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wonder if he is still well over weight? hmm
Weaver was in goal for the only two City games I have seen in person, which gives you some idea of how long it's been since I've been to Manchester. It would be a very pleasant surprise if he can realize some of the potential that he showed back when City fans were serenading him as "England's Future Number One!"