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Wanderers won’t be rushing on-loan Australia international Luke Brattan into first team action.
The 25-year-old had his first taste of English football this week, turning out for the Whites’ Under-21s in a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Monday afternoon.
But the former Brisbane Roar midfielder, sent immediately out on loan by Manchester City after he signed at the Etihad last week, will have to be patient as he waits to step up another level.
Lennon reassured Brattan, however, that he could push his way into the reckoning before returning to City in January.
“It’s a big step even from the u21s to the Championship but you have to do it bit by bit,” he said. “He will work with the fitness coaches to get him near the level of the first-team boys and after that we will have a good look.
“We haven’t been able to bring a midfield player in at all since we have come in because we have had such a plethora of midfield players at the club.
“He is really the first we have brought in and it’s not a big expenditure or a big signing.
“It is just a player we would like to have a look at.”
Wanderers have not paid a loan fee or wages for Brattan and Lennon, who has voiced his concern over an imbalance in midfield this season, may not be able to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The offer of his services until the New Year could be a blessing, and one the manager did not want to turn down.
“City contacted us and then we did some homework on him,” he explained. “It was an offer of a player to get some experience for him and to help City out.
“It’s good to have a relationship with Man City – I know some people there.
“Watching him in training, he can handle the ball.
“He just needs to work on his physicality – obviously his fitness levels are down compared to the rest.
“It is not costing the club a penny so it’s a no-brainer.
“But he will need to get accustomed to the pace of English football compared to the A-League.”
Source
The 25-year-old had his first taste of English football this week, turning out for the Whites’ Under-21s in a 1-1 draw at Crewe Alexandra on Monday afternoon.
But the former Brisbane Roar midfielder, sent immediately out on loan by Manchester City after he signed at the Etihad last week, will have to be patient as he waits to step up another level.
Lennon reassured Brattan, however, that he could push his way into the reckoning before returning to City in January.
“It’s a big step even from the u21s to the Championship but you have to do it bit by bit,” he said. “He will work with the fitness coaches to get him near the level of the first-team boys and after that we will have a good look.
“We haven’t been able to bring a midfield player in at all since we have come in because we have had such a plethora of midfield players at the club.
“He is really the first we have brought in and it’s not a big expenditure or a big signing.
“It is just a player we would like to have a look at.”
Wanderers have not paid a loan fee or wages for Brattan and Lennon, who has voiced his concern over an imbalance in midfield this season, may not be able to look a gift horse in the mouth.
The offer of his services until the New Year could be a blessing, and one the manager did not want to turn down.
“City contacted us and then we did some homework on him,” he explained. “It was an offer of a player to get some experience for him and to help City out.
“It’s good to have a relationship with Man City – I know some people there.
“Watching him in training, he can handle the ball.
“He just needs to work on his physicality – obviously his fitness levels are down compared to the rest.
“It is not costing the club a penny so it’s a no-brainer.
“But he will need to get accustomed to the pace of English football compared to the A-League.”
Source
