TURNER REVELS IN HIS FERDINAND REUNION
CENTRE-BACK MICHAEL JOINS SOUTHEND TO TEAM UP AGAIN WITH OLD CATS PAL ANTON
Former Sunderland defenders Michael Turner and Anton Ferdinand have been reunited at League One club Southend United.
The pair played together at the heart of the Black Cats’ defence in Steve Bruce’s reign at the Stadium of Light, but are performing at a lower level now.
Turner, 33, yesterday joined Southend and is relishing the chance to work with both Ferdinand and manager Phil Brown at Roots Hall.
Turner, a free agent after leaving Norwich, said: “I played with Anton for a coupleofyearsatSunderland so we know each other well and each other’s game well.
“If it’s me and Anton together I’m sure, hopefully, that it will work.
“Phil Brown was one of the main reasons I’ve come to the club.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time under him at Hull. We had a successful period there and I’m looking to do something similar here.”
Turner proved his worth in a training camp in Spain, and added: “I enjoyed the trainingandthecamaraderie between the players and I’m looking forward to working alongside them and having a successful season.”
Southend were close to a play-off place last term, but Turner can see an improvement ahead this term.
He told southendunited. co.uk: “I think with the players that have come in already, it shows what the club’s objective is.
“We came really close last season to get into the top six and just missed out but I think there’s a good opportunity this season to go one further at least.”
Middlesbrough are keen to sign Liverpool winger Sheyi Ojo on loan – and Anfield boss Jurgen Klopp looks set to agree to let the 20-year-old enjoy a stint of regular Championship football.
Newcastle, back in the Premier League, are also interested, but Boro look to be ahead in the queue, with Liverpool believing the England Under-20 starlet would be better off in the second tier, building up confidence, this season.
If he signs, Ojo would be a third capture for Boro boss Garry Monk, following Norwich midfielder Jonny Howson and Derby right-back Cyrus Christie.
Boro play their first preseason friendly tonight, tackling League One club Oxford United in the Algarve (6.30pm).
Teenage left-back Hayden Coulson has had his stint in Portugal cut short by a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Boro defender James Husband jas joined Norwich for an undisclosed fee after managing just eight appearances in three seasons on Teesside.
France goalkeeper Steve Mandanda has left Crystal Palace to rejoin Marseille.
Mandanda signed for the Eagles last summer in a bigmoney move and made 10 appearances before being sidelined with a knee injury in November.
Wales goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey finished the campaign as Palace’s No 1.
Leicester keeper RonRobert Zieler has signed a three-year contract at Bundesliga club Stuttgart, ending a year-long stay with the Foxes which brought 13 appearances.