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Berg back in the frame

Written by Brownie


Berg : Keen to return
Henning Berg could well return to Rovers' defence on saturday for the crucial visit to West Ham United.

Berg's experience could be crucial in what is looking a vital period in the club's battle for safety.

Souness hinted that Berg could partner Nissa Johansson at Upton Park though Craig Short too must be pressing for a recall.

Keith Gillespie may replace Craig Hignett on the wing after an impressive substitute appearance against Arsenal though David Dunn looks likely to again miss out.

Graeme Souness told the Lancashire Evening Telegraph about his thoughts concerning the defence ;

"We're a young team who are still finding our way," said Souness.

"And we've got a young defence, in particular, who have faced a number of big challenges over the last couple of weeks.

"We've asked our centre halves to get the ball down and make passes and they will make mistakes from time to time which will lead to us conceding goals.

"But that's a price we've been willing to pay because we think the advantages of trying to play from the back are enormous.

"Nevertheless, we are fortunate in having a lot of competition for places at the back and Henning is keen to get back in the team so that's something to consider."

Regardless of what he decides to do, however, Souness has been hugely impressed by the form of Johansson in particular over the last couple of weeks.

"We've tried to introduce Nisa slowly to the English game because it's different to the Bundesliga where he was previously playing," said Souness.

"But he's only 22 so he's still just a baby because for a centre back that's young.

"Centre-backs, as people say, are one of the most important players in your team because most of the goals you concede are from the centre of your defensive pairing.

"So we'll see how things develop but, right now, we are very happy with him.

"He and Tiny recently played at Old Trafford and the challenge for them was to perform in front of 67,000 people.

"The hype on the day was also around their striker, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, because he was going for the record.

"And apart from his overhead kick, I thought he kept them very quiet.

"They then faced a different challenge again last Saturday where it was an FA Cup tie on a sticky pitch which developed into an in your face type of game and they dealt with that.

"And Wednesday night was entirely different again because they played against arguably the best striker around at the moment.

"So they'll have benefited greatly from those experiences."

Rovers are expected to choose from: Friedel, Neill, Bjornebye, Taylor, Johansson, Flitcroft, Tugay, Duff, Gillespie, Jansen, Cole, Hignett, Hughes, Berg, Short, Mahon, Kelly.


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