Kanoute Conundrum

Glenn Roeder admits that the continued absence of Fredi Kanoute is a major concern to him - and that he will redouble his efforts to find cover for him when the transfer window opens in January.

As Glenn has said here in the past, he tried to find a 'shadow' to Fredi before the last window closed, but was not able to do so in time.

"We tried," he reflects, "and we did everything we could - but the player concerned wouldn't come across to us.

"It was a player that was already playing in the Premiership, a player that would have been excellent for us for one season - and one that would have given us a physical alternative to Fredi Kanoute when he was injured."

But Glenn will have to look elsewhere in the new year rather than try to resurrect the deal and he adds:

"I think that is dead and buried now but we are already out looking now for another striker that will give us a physical presence.

"It is too early to say specifically what the priority will be but that is one target for January.

"There will be others but it would be wrong to give away too many clues because of players already at the club.

"But I think it goes without saying that we knew we were going into the season not having enough strength in depth in the striking part of the team.

"You rely on not picking up injuries which is nearly impossible.

"Last year we got away with Fredi, Paolo, and Jermain coming on as sub most times with Paul Kitson coming on a few times - but overall we were fortunate."

Glenn is keen to stress that Fredi's current problem has nothing to do with the injury he had last term and adds:

"Last year he had a few hamstring injuries but he still competed in 25 of the 38 league games and I think he scored nearly a goal every couple of games.

"This is the groin injury he picked up at Chelsea, a completely fresh one, but nevertheless he will have missed seven out of 12 games when we play Liverpool."

As for a target for Fredi to return, Glenn says:

"We don't have one at the moment but we will just take a look at over the next couple of weeks - he is not going to be fit for the game at Anfield, to be honest.

"It just makes things much more difficult.

"Fredi would like to be able to play all 38 games but he has yet to be able to achieve that in the time he has been with us."

Glenn concedes that the team played too much of the long ball on Sunday, but says it is easier said than done in a frenetic Premiership game to always play as you would want.

"If Fredi had been in the team on Sunday most of those balls would have got pulled down and other people brought into play," he emphasises.

"When we have Jermain and Paolo in the team we have to get the ball down on the ground and play more - but it is not always possible.

"As much as we like to get the ball on the ground and pass it it is not always possible to slide balls through the opposing midfield to strikers' feet.

"And every team knocks balls in the air but of course without a striker of any great height you are often only knocking a ball onto the central defender's head and the midfield have to go and win the ball that comes off that."