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Alleluia
Birmingham City fans’ hopes that Alen Halilovic will continue to play the blues next season have been bolstered by an interview in the Croatian media.
Although they haven’t seen him in the flesh yet, the 24-year-old has impressed fans with some skillful and surprisingly engaging appearances under Aitor Karanka and now Lee Bowyer.
He has scored once in his 16 games, played different positions and given a taste of the skills that took him to Dinamo Zagreb Academy and then to Barcelona and AC Milan.
However, his inconsistency has also resulted in his failing to deliver on the promise of his early years – and he signed up for St. Andrew’s last November as a free agent and on a short-term contract.
But Miroslav Bicanic, who is reportedly a family friend of the Halilovic family, has claimed the Blues offered him a new deal.
Speaking to Sportske novosti, the former football player and Croatian coach, he said: “Alen was the leader of the generation up to his age, he was very talented.
“When it came to the transition to so-called compulsory football, he had difficulty adapting. He is in his serious years now.
“But we heard this English [club] Birmingham bought his contract so now should come some of his stability and athletic maturity.
“He has knowledge, his technique is still phenomenal and personally I like to watch players who dribble a little more and are more tech-savvy.”
Halilovic was excluded from Blues’ last game against Cardiff City – when Lee Bowyer gave some of his younger players a run, stating that he didn’t feel the need to see Halilovic in a dead gum.
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Contract contact
Lee Bowyer has downplayed speculation suggesting that Birmingham City has offered mercury Alen Halilovic a new deal.
In Halilovic’s homeland, it was alleged that the Blues handed the Croatian a new deal after impressing since arriving on short notice in November.
Bowyer has previously spoken of his admiration for Halilovic and he would recommend offering the 24-year-old new terms.
But he doubted that had already happened.
“I haven’t heard of anything,” said Bowyer. “If something was placed in front of him, I am not aware of it.
“He’s a good player as a soccer player, but I don’t know anything about the contact.”
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Take a break
Neil Etheridge will have additional time off this summer to compensate for international commitments.
The Birmingham City goalkeeper is expected to be part of the Philippines national team, who will play three games next month.
Etheridge will play Guam on June 3, China on June 9, and the Maldives on June 15 – all games will take place in Suzhou, China – and before that the squad will hold a training camp in Doha.
As a result, Etheridge will go to Blackburn with the roster this weekend but won’t play.
“Neil will be traveling but he will not be involved,” said head coach Lee Bowyer.
“There has been a bit of a stomach problem that he has had for a while and obviously he is not going to be on international service all summer so he cannot rest.
“So now I think it’s’ OK. Now let’s get away from him a bit by kicking, kicking, kicking and putting pressure on the stomach. There is no point in taking risks.
“I’ll give him an extra week after we start because he hasn’t taken a break or likes a week off.
“It’s not exactly the same as being an outfield player, but everyone needs a mental break to be with the family and see people.
“I think it will be difficult for anyone to leave in the summer if that doesn’t change, but at least they have to take a step away from football for a while.”
Ewood says that
Bowyer is expected to name several fringe players on his starting line-up, but confirmed that Scott Hogan and Marc Roberts will not participate.
That could lead to Mikel San Jose joining newbies Amari Miller and Ryan Stirk on the field at Ewood Park
“I think it’s the right, respectful thing since I walked through the door, the players have been training hard every day. Today they are no longer excellent.
“I think it’s what I owe them to give them the opportunity to consider them in the future.
“I’m not going to go into too much detail when Ryan and Amari are in or around him. I thought they were fine last week and it will be a good experience for them this week.”
