Home
Dougie Freedman insists there has been no fall out with Chris Eagles – but revealed the Wanderers playmaker turned down two chances to leave the Reebok last week.
The Whites allowed both Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town to speak with the 28-year-old former Burnley midfielder about a loan deal until the end of the season.
Freedman was unable to guarantee Eagles first-team football before his contract runs out in the summer – and the club’s readiness to let him go suggests he will be allowed to leave for nothing at the end of this season.
“There was a Charlton phone call and we said to him he could go and speak with them and play some football, which he didn’t take up,” Freedman said.
“Then we had a call from Ipswich, but Chris felt the location wasn’t right for him.
“I can’t guarantee him football right now so I thought it right to give him the chance, but he didn’t take it.”
Eagles has not featured for Wanderers since February 15 when he played 73 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Millwall.
His absence has recently been explained by the club as the result of an eye infection, although it has now been confirmed by the club he is back in full training.
It has been quite a rapid fall from grace for last season’s top goalscorer, who has made just 18 appearances this season and scored one goal.
Freedman – who once said he planned to “build a team around” the man who played six first-team games for Manchester United at the beginning of his career – claims the issue is not a personal one.
He said: “It is not the case that I have a problem with him. If he continues to work hard and knuckle down, he’ll be available for selection.”
Eagles’ lack of chances appear to signal he will not be given an extended deal at the Reebok, with one report suggesting Derby may be willing to snap him up in July.
“We’ve grown into a team where certain players have come in and held on to their position,” Freedman said. “I can only pick 10 outfield players.
“You’d like to think the ones not picked would be fighting their way back in, but some can’t quite handle that situation, some sulk, some can’t handle the mental side and don’t train every week.
“Chris had an eye problem and we went to Leeds, won 5-1, and he found himself out of the team.”
Source
The Whites allowed both Charlton Athletic and Ipswich Town to speak with the 28-year-old former Burnley midfielder about a loan deal until the end of the season.
Freedman was unable to guarantee Eagles first-team football before his contract runs out in the summer – and the club’s readiness to let him go suggests he will be allowed to leave for nothing at the end of this season.
“There was a Charlton phone call and we said to him he could go and speak with them and play some football, which he didn’t take up,” Freedman said.
“Then we had a call from Ipswich, but Chris felt the location wasn’t right for him.
“I can’t guarantee him football right now so I thought it right to give him the chance, but he didn’t take it.”
Eagles has not featured for Wanderers since February 15 when he played 73 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Millwall.
His absence has recently been explained by the club as the result of an eye infection, although it has now been confirmed by the club he is back in full training.
It has been quite a rapid fall from grace for last season’s top goalscorer, who has made just 18 appearances this season and scored one goal.
Freedman – who once said he planned to “build a team around” the man who played six first-team games for Manchester United at the beginning of his career – claims the issue is not a personal one.
He said: “It is not the case that I have a problem with him. If he continues to work hard and knuckle down, he’ll be available for selection.”
Eagles’ lack of chances appear to signal he will not be given an extended deal at the Reebok, with one report suggesting Derby may be willing to snap him up in July.
“We’ve grown into a team where certain players have come in and held on to their position,” Freedman said. “I can only pick 10 outfield players.
“You’d like to think the ones not picked would be fighting their way back in, but some can’t quite handle that situation, some sulk, some can’t handle the mental side and don’t train every week.
“Chris had an eye problem and we went to Leeds, won 5-1, and he found himself out of the team.”
Source