I think it makes a lot of sense for him to join for two weeks, so that the coaching staff can see where he's at. For a long while he was an excellent player both at Palace and Liverpool. He lost his place and possibly his way for a while. I suspect he is coming back with a renewed commitment to regain form and fitness? If his pace is unaffected, that would be a bonus. The squad is still small, and he could be a quality addition at relatively little cost? Not sure where he would play though, given the consistency of ward, and that Ferguson was bought to play RB?

I’ll keep an open mind.

He was a terrific player and has the potential to still be very good. Bearing in mind there’s not a fee and we can’t be paying a huge salary if he were to sign then exploring the possibility surely has to be a good thing, especially as he can play in either full back position.

Last year there were numerous voices on here saying signing Cahill would be a huge mistake and yet he turned out to be arguably our best player last season and was huge not just in his own performances but for his experience and for the team as a whole, even taking over the Captains armband.

A recurrence of the injury would be my biggest fear and two weeks rigorous training should give a good indication whether his knee is going to be up to it or not.

Edited by Phil’s Barber (18 Sep 2020 10.47am)

Because, as others have said, if he is not fit and/or his attitude is wrong, we can make good use of him in training for a couple of weeks or more while his agent finds him a new home.

If he is (or becomes) match fit and his attitude is good and there is room in the squad he can provide cover for (or even replace?) Ward till e.g. New Year while we bring a very young Ferguson through physio and Development.

Another slant on things - by publicly announcing that he is training with us (even if its only to get his fitness up) for sure every club who might have any interest in him (going forward) at least knows where he is, is aware of the fact that he is / maybe available & he making an effort to be fit & be part of someones season - as shop windows go its not the Premier league but its certainly half reasonable advertising for him

would have him back, free wont be on massive wages, would be good cover, equally has the quality & experience to play.

yes, of course theres an element of romantic nostalgia amongst my thinking but he really was better than ashley cole was at the same age when he came thru.

‘Football isn’t instant coffee. You have to work at it. You must grow the bean, grind it.’ Ian Holloway

fair enough...hadnt thought of that...silly me

still, i absolutely love joel ward, but putting aside his service for the club, if both were fully fit clyne is probably a better player than him.

‘Football isn’t instant coffee. You have to work at it. You must grow the bean, grind it.’ Ian Holloway