Kolkata: East Bengal’s new physio Simon Maltby joined the training today at the Howrah Stadium. The British physical trainer will be joining Trevor James Morgan for the I League. Maltby arrived in Kolkata last night. Atletico de Kolkata defender Arnab Mondal, who missed the ISL semi finals and final owing to an operation in his right knee, was at the Howrah Stadium to discuss about his injury with the new physio.
Later East Bengal coach Morgan told the media that he is expecting the defender to take the field after 4 weeks.
According to Morgan, “Simon’s here to assess Arnab’s injury. That is why he is here with us. May be he will take around four weeks to get fully fit. He (Arnab) is a tough bloke and is serious about his injury.”
Maltby has a very impressive CV, as he was with Bharain Football Association, Premier League side Hull City and Football Association (FA).
With Arnab injured, East Bengal will feel his absence in the first few matches of I League. East Bengal gaffer is not too concerned with Arnab’s injury.
“Everybody looks for problems that are not there. The Calcutta league is done, dusted over. Still there was a lot of criticism. People will always look for things in your team. Sometimes it is true but at times they are not there.” said Morgan after on the sidelines of the team’s practice session at Howrah Stadium.
On being asked about the expectation from the fans to win the I League, which may be in its last edition, the gaffer said, “The pressure was the same when I first came here in 2010. When I leave and a new manager comes in, there will be no difference. It is the expectation of the club and supporters. We are trying to put a team together to win the I League.”
The footballers will return to the East Bengal ground for training tomorrow. They will train there until January 01 before moving on to Central Park.
Meanwhile the club is in talks with an Asian quota footballer. Striker Alex Akande, who hails from Nigeria and holding a Hong Kong passport will come onDecember 23 to give medical test.
East Bengal club is going to leave for Siliguri on Thursday night to take part in a practice match. The players will come back to the cityon Friday. It will be the first time that Morgan can assess the form of new foreign recruit Wedson Anselme