Good news ahead of tomorrow.
We had some worries about the fitness and availability of a couple of our international players but both Mark Schwarzer and Clint Dempsey took part in training this morning. Whatever Schwarzer takes or does on those long flights back from Australia, I want to be told in time for my next long-haul flight.
I know you can never trust these squads dreamt up by the journalists, but it is good to see Giles Barnes included in one for the first time. After his interview in the week reaffirming his desire to stay at Fulham and his part in the pre-match warm-up a fortnight ago, it will be interesting if we get a longer look at him on Saturday.
The FFA (Football Federation of Australia) has been known to charter a plane to get the European players back, with physio’s and massages on the flight. Not sure if they got that treatment this time.
I think Schwarzer had a cracker the first game back last time (Swindon away I think) – but his one after that was a shocker – ManU away. He probably runs on adrenalin for a while then crashes after a few days