Strachan hoping ONeil will make Baggies return

Last updated : 15 April 2010 By Northern Echo

Boro chief executive Keith Lamb has been in discussions with Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou to find a way around the impasse that has resulted in O'Neil missing the Teessiders' last two games.

Strachan's side emerged from both matches with narrow victories but the manager insists his side are stronger with the influential skipper in their line up. He is keeping his fingers crossed a deal can be reached allowing him to field O'Neil for their remaining three matches and any potential play-off fixtures.

Strachan has targeted a minimum of seven points from nine to have any chance of sneaking into the play-offs.

But Middlesbrough's prospects of taking a maximum haul, starting at newlypromoted Baggies, would receive a huge boost if they could call on O'Neil's services.

The 26-year-old continues to prepare for matches with the rest of the Boro squad but Strachan noted that his captain has become frustrated by the ongoing wrangle that's sidelined him from the season's run-in.

The midfielder hasn't played since the 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace earlier this month that seemed to signal the end of Boro's chances of following Newcastle back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

But back-to-back wins against Plymouth and Sheffield Wednesday has reduced the gap on sixth-placed Swansea City to just four points, handing Boro's play-off hopes a lifeline.

A clause in O'Neil's contract that would trigger a £1m payment to Pompey when he next plays for Boro, in what would be his 100th appearance for the club, has prompted Middlesbrough to omit him from the side. While Boro are proving unwilling to part with £1m Lamb is attempting to agree a settlement with the Fratton Park administrators that would satisfy all parties.

Strachan outlined the current situation when he said: Keith (Lamb) has been speaking to Portsmouth over the last two weeks and he is continuing to speak to them.

We are working on it to see if something can be done to get Gary on the field. He is itching to play.

I know we have won a couple of games without him but I can assure you that we are a better side when he is in the team, that's for sure. He is one of the best players in this league.

He is training as normal which is frustrating for him.

It is a situation that I have never really come across in my career. We have to deal with it. It's strange for Gary as well. In terms of focus he is desperate to play.

The circumstances are out of his hands and my hands.

We are working on something that can hopefully get him to play on Saturday.

Cash-strapped Pompey were docked nine points last month for entering administration and their relegation to the Championship was confirmed after West Ham beat Sunderland last Saturday.

Despite qualifying for the FA Cup Final the extent of Portsmouth's financial problems means that several key players may not be able to play in the Wembley showpiece.

The administrator revealed that five or six players

at the club had clauses that would entitle them to have their deals renewed for next season or guarantee significant cash payments if they played another match for the club.

Meanwhile, former Celtic striker Chris Killen admitted he was happy to be at Middlesbrough rather than still with the under-fire Glasgow club who last Saturday suffered a humiliating Scottish Cup semi-final defeat to Ross County.

It's quite nice not to be the one in the firing line for a change. They'll be getting ripped apart up there and that's a shame because it would have been nice for (caretaker boss) Neil (Lennon) to get off to a good start and push for a job up there.

They'd probably have been calling for his head after that result. That's what it's like up there. As soon as you get beat or lose a bit of silverware it's doom and gloom.

Source: Northern Echo

Source: Northern Echo