Experienced defender added to squad for Bury game
Micky Mellon has revealed during his pre-match interview ahead of the Bury game that experienced defender Anthony Gerrard is training with Town. Gerrard has been at the Greenhous Meadow for several weeks and has played in a number of the development squads recent games.Liverpool born Gerrard has experience in the Championship and League with the likes of Walsall, Cardiff City, Hull City and Huddersfield Town and is currently a free agent after his contract with Huddersfield expired in the summer.
Gerrard agreed a non-contract deal a while back and that means he is available for today’s game with Bury and is named on the bench;”He’s played 90 minutes in three development games for us and has not missed a days training in the three weeks he’s been training with us.
“He’s up to a level now where if he needs to come off the bench he will be able to do a job for us.
“Although he is not fully match fit yet what he can offer and the experience he can bring us is an opportunity that we can take.
“I’m sure everyone will agree when we have 100% fit Anthony Gerrard, Zak Whitbread and Ian Black it will make a big difference to our squad.”
Social media reported that Gerrard was at Town following a recent run out in Town’s development squad.
Since then the gaffer has been asked about the player and on Thursday he explained the situation that Anthony is training with Town;”As you keep on prodding me you know that he’s here training with us.
“Fitness is an issue again; he’s not done any pre-season so we are hamstrung with that because we know how good he could be with us.
“We are working everyday to get him fit and he is working his socks off to but I’ve got to be careful that I put people in when they are ready or I think will make an impact.
“People ask me what type of players I’m looking for; I’m looking for ones who will make an impact.
“Anthony has got a wee bit of training to do before he’s ready and I’ve spoken to him about that, but when he’s ready he will be an important player for us.”
Micky was pushed on whether there was a deal in place between the club and Gerrard and he confirmed that an agreement was in place once the player for when he’s fit;”There has been a conversation taken place between me and when the time is right we will carry on with that.
“He’s not fit yet, a little like Blackie and Zak where they aren’t 100% fit yet and that is one of the problems of when you lose players and you are in then in the loan window you have to look at the situation as a manager and say I’ll take that even though they aren’t 100% but then get them fit and improve them.
“We have an agreement with Anthony so when he’s fit he will be available to play for us.
“We love having him around the ground at the minute as he’s a winner, a great talker and a guy of high standards in training and it’s been a big positive having him around.”