Medo back to fight for place at Wanderers

Medo Kamara will make an unlikely return to fight for a first-team place at Wanderers next week after hopes of a permanent move to Maccabi Haifa collapsed.

The Sierra Leone international will be back in the camp for the first time this year, aiming to convince Neil Lennon he is ready for regular football.

Despite being first choice for more than a year under Dougie Freedman, Medo struggled to convince Lennon he was fit enough to command a place in the squad.

Medo was a success on loan in Israel in the second half of last season but despite talk between the clubs about a full-time move, a fee could not be agreed and a change of manager at Haifa prevented any further negotiations.

Now, with a year remaining on his contract, the 27-year-old is focused on returning to the Macron Stadium and fighting for a starting spot before considering moving on elsewhere.

The midfielder’s representative Tony Antoniou confirmed that the former Partizan Belgrade man will be reporting back for duty with the Whites with a new frame of mind.

“Medo did very well in Israel but that has been and gone now,” he told The Bolton News. “He doesn’t have anything to prove but he’s going back to Bolton to try and get himself a place in the first team.

“He’s been away playing for his country but there is nothing else happening at the moment – his focus is on Bolton.”

Medo played 57 times for Wanderers following his arrival from Serbia in January 2013 and his tough-tackling style won him plenty of fans on the terraces.

But his international commitments with Sierra Leone proved a hindrance to his club form, especially given the increased travel time and pressures of competing in a country still ravaged by the Ebola outbreak.

Many expected Medo to be sold on this summer but after head coach Marko Balbul was replaced by Ronny Levy at the end of May, the chances of an agreement dried up completely.

Lennon has been on the lookout for a defensive midfielder and linked with the likes of Rudy Austin, formerly of Leeds United, and Wilson Palacios, who has recently been released at Stoke City.

Meanwhile, Wanderers have confirmed they will play two games in their forthcoming pre-season fitness camp in Austria.

Lennon’s side will fly out on July 6 before facing three-time Austrian champions Sturm Graz at Stadion Kumberg on Saturday, July 11 (kick-off 6pm, local time, 5pm UK).

They will then meet German club SC Paderborn – a town twinned with Bolton – at the Franz Fekete Stadion in Kapfenberg on Monday, July 13 (kick-off 5pm, local time, 4pm UK).

Supporters will be able to pay cash at the turnstiles for both games.

Source

Interesting. I thought he'd already gone to be honest but if he can prove himself to Neil it would be a very good thing, almost like a new signing in its own right.

I'd prefer Medo to that old dingle bastard.

i alwats though Medo was better than Spearing so hopefully he gets a chance now.

Norpig wrote:i alwats though Medo was better than Spearing so hopefully he gets a chance now.

I agree, I think he'd possibly make a good skipper for us as well as do a better job in the middle of the park. Medo has some skills and also plays with real commitment. He could well be a leader on the field next term and I hope he comes back, does well and gives the gaffer one less thing to worry about.

What's happened to Spearing?

Has he been given the chop also or is he still on our books?

Getting the captaincy went to Spearing's head and he became lazy in both his workrate and passing which went to pot. If Neil can crowbar Spearing's head out of his ass long enough for him to get back to the simple, hard-working game he used to play we'd have a valuable asset once more - instead of an overelaborate prima donna.
Medo was never overelaborate but his fitness wasn't good enough so the game could bypass him. If Neil can get him running around like a good'un, that's another asset/saving in the transfer market.
Baptiste could make up the trio of "signings" simply by being played in his natural position i.e. CB.

3 players we're paying anyway - 3 opportunities to get them correctly motivated. Over to you Neil.