Stephen Elliott

this is a real sickner

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Elliott ruled out of Kerr's Croatia plans
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=11663

A FOOT injury has ended striker Stephen Elliott's chances of making an early impression on Ireland manager Brian Kerr in next Tuesday's international against Croatia at Lansdowne Road.

However, there was good news on the striking front for Kerr, who announces his panel in Dublin today, when Clinton Morrison looking likely to return.

Elliott, Ireland's record goalscorer at Under-21 level, has been in explosive form for former Irish manager Mick McCarthy at Sunderland. However, in becoming the club's leading goalscorer by nabbing his seventh goal in last week's win against Wolves, Elliott picked up a foot injury which subsequently ruled him out of Friday's league game with Millwall.

Sunderland are unlikely to risk allowing his involvement, a blow for Kerr as he would have been eager to test his former protégé's in top-class international fare.

Buoyed by Saturday's excellent win at Anfield, Steve Bruce is likely to match Morrison's enthusiasm and allow his recovering striker to be included in Kerr's squad after limping out of Ireland's 0-0 draw in Paris last month.

Morrison made a quicker than expected return to training at the weekend, reporting no reaction to his recent surgery and a return to action has been pencilled in for this Saturday against Everton.

Elliott's difficulty may open the door for Aiden McGeady to re-assert his claims after the Celtic youngster scored his second successive league goal in Saturday's SPL win against Kilmarnock.

Southampton's Rory Delap should return after a series of impressive appearances in central midfield, but John O'Shea's imminent hernia operation could rule him out.

David Kelly

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Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

this is a real sickner

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Yeah it's disappointing but if he's not 100% then we shouldn't pick him.
I'd rather he makes his debut when he's in peak condition. To risk him now might set him back.

Good display from the young lad last night, I thought. He didn't seem out of place or fazed by the occasion. Himself and robbie need more games together to get the signals right but they play a similar type of game.

Was at 3 sunderland games this season and hes looked a different class. Great game last night if Robbies finishing was decent could have had 2 assists. Pity he wasnt given a more forward role on his debut rather than playing him wide on the right out of position.

Elliott scored in the 60th minute in Sunderland's 2-0 win over Ipswich :)

Evidently he backheeled it in...nice and cheeky! From the reports he had a great game. Early days yet but the signs are encouraging. We are desperate for another creative striker and Elliot could be the man. If he keeps scoring at this rate then he may get a look-on for Tel-Aviv (unless Kerr decides to get conservative against the Israelis). Good signs indeed.

Well the lad is putting the ball in the back of the net on a fairly
regular basis which is a nice habit if you are a striker.
Hopefully he will be playing Premiership football next season if
Sunderlands good form continues (currently 3rd and they have won 5
of thier last 6 games).
It would mean Mick McCarthy is back in the Premiership too!

I agree on all points t_c. It will be interesting to see how Mick Mac fares in the Premiership, and only a good thing for the likes of Elliott to be playing there on a regular basis. Bring it on I say. :)

:D PP

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Originally Posted by Fergie's Son

Evidently he backheeled it in...nice and cheeky! From the reports he had a great game. Early days yet but the signs are encouraging. We are desperate for another creative striker and Elliot could be the man. If he keeps scoring at this rate then he may get a look-on for Tel-Aviv (unless Kerr decides to get conservative against the Israelis). Good signs indeed.

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He did not have a great game, up until he scored he was very quiet, which was not really his fault as the delivery from the back and midfield was poor. But after he scored he suddenly sprung into life.

Agree with Condex, he got lively after he scored. The service to the front men improved. I've felt for some time that this Irish team needs a goal poacher, someone a bit different to Robbie who spends too much time outside the box. I feel Elliott may just be that player. He already has 8 league goals this season, plus one or two in the league cup. His scoring record is perhaps more impressive than Robbie Keane's debut season with Wolves. Would be great to see Elliott in the Premiership. Sunderland have not got the strongest of teams in the First Division and this just proves what a great manager Mick McCarthy is. Well done Mick.

If Liam Lawrence is interested in playing for Ireland we should bring him in.Looked a good player when he came on at half time for Sunderland yesterday.Very skillful and good vision,had a big impact on the game.
I was a bit dissapionted with Elliot overall.Gave the ball away a lot and didn't really look comfortable in possesion but perhaps proving himself a good striker by scoring after a poor display.

Thought the game opened up and we improved when liamo came on. Steo did well after he scored was quiet up to then due to the lack of service from the wings. But a sign of a good striker is scoring on those off days . great finish. Would like to see Liam Lawrence get a run in the sund side and hopefully then he could make a claim on the right for Ireland . He is one of the best crossers in championship

Yes to both of the above.

The question is, is he good enough? I seriously have my doubts to be honest.

Lets see if he can establish himself in the Sunderland team before calling him up.

Edit, Lawrence that is.

Elliott scored 1 and set up the other against Derby today. Thats 12 goals this season. Keane scored 11 in his first season so it looks like he's gonna demolish that. :)

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Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Fair play to Elliott, he's proving Keegan wrong anyway. Great season he's having. Good to see young Yeates get a run for Spurs on Saturday too. Seems to be a great number of young lads waiting for their chance to shine. Good luck to them.

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I don't think he's proven Keegan wrong. He rejected a contract offer from Keegan and Keegan has tied down a lot of players long term because of that.

Who would you say will be the 4-5 strikers Kerr will take to Germany (if we qualify) ?

Robbie Keane,
Clinton Morrison,
Stephen Elliott,
Alan Lee...?,
Macken...(I hope not)..?

(NB Im assuming McGeedy, Duff, the Doc etc would be classed as midfielders/defenders)

I think he'd go with 4 strikers as McGeady and Duffer would be enough attacking cover.

Elliott
Morrison
Keane
and ???

I'd say Keane, Elliott, Morrison and Doherty as strikers (He'll probably have 4 center backs without The Doc). With McGeady and Duff as cover, that should be enough.

Of course he might pick Connolly...

Although I think we're getting a long way ahead of ourselves with this topic!