It’s getting close to decision day for Giles Barnes, who has said in recent weeks that he’d like to make his loan spell from Derby permanent, although he has yet to make a first-team appearance for Fulham.
Roy Hodgson spelt out the terms of the Barnes deal to the press.
It’s a loan deal until the end of the season and we have an option to buy him at the end of that loan deal. But we will have to look into that when the time comes. Apart from anything else it will be a question of how much money is involved.
Sensible. Roy’s also hinted that Barnes might get his chance sooner rather than later.
I’m sure he’ll be involved. He’s been a bit unlucky since he’s arrived in that our results have been pretty good so it’s not easy to break in.
He’s done very well in the reserves, he’s looking a much fitter individual. He’s a vibrant character and his enthusiasm in training every day is a joy to see.
He seems to enjoy being here and we enjoy having him, albeit that enjoyment is temporary in that I can only keep him happy over a longer period if I give him some chances – and at the moment I haven’t given him many. So he’s entitled to be less happy than he seems to be. But I certainly haven’t written him off.