HOWLER MAIKS FOR A HAPPY FATHER’S DAY

Villa boss Smith backs free-scoring Abraham for an England recalll

Chester

VILLA boss Dean Smith insists free-scoring Tammy Abraham is making the case for an England recall.

While on loan at Swansea last season Abraham picked up his two senior caps in Wembley friendlies against Germany (circle) and Brazil, but missed out on Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s World Cup adventure.

Instead, he linked up with the Under-21 party as they won their third straight Toulon Tournament title.

The Chelsea striker’s loan move to Villa has so far produced 11 goals – and a scintillating seven in four games.

Abraham,

who hit four in last Wednesday’s incredible 5-5 home draw with Nottingham Forest, applied a poacher’s touch shortly after the hour at the Riverside (celebrating, right) to add to skipper James Chester’s first-half opener (right).

Substitute Glenn Whelan then put the seal on Villa’s victory with a rare goal (celebrating, below) courtesy of keeper Darren Randolph’s fumble.

And Smith, whose side have emerged as play-off contenders, said: “Tammy is playing for the Under-21s at the moment and has been in and around that squad. If he gets the call-up again to the full squad, who knows?

“All he can do is keep working hard on what he’s doing and he’s certainly making people sit up and take notice when he’s scored six goals in six days.’’

Abraham, 21, has credited Villa assistant coach and former Chelsea colleague John Terry with helping him improve his aerial prowess.

Smith added: “JT has taken time out to work with a lot of the lads, but he obviously knows Tammy from his Chelsea days and Tammy looks up to him. At MIDDLESBROUGH: ASTON VILLA: MOTM

Abraham Whelan

EL GHAZI (ASTON VILLA) the moment, we’re getting the best out of him and long may that continue. I’ve said he’s wonderful to work with, he has a great attitude and aptitude to learn, and he’ll get better and better.’’

Abraham admitted: “My confidence is pretty high. It’s the boys behind me as well. They’re providing me with chances and I have to keep getting in the right areas.’’

On-loan Everton winger Yannick Bolasie created Abraham’s latest strike, a close-range stab. Smith said: “It helps having Bolasie to supply the ammunition. He’s full of pace, power and tricks.’’

Boro boss Tony Pulis admitted those attributes are what he seeks in

new players ahead of next month’s transfer window.

His side lost ground on top two Norwich and Leeds, and winger Stewart Downing warned: “If we don’t do very well in the next six games then we could be out of touch.

‘‘It doesn’t matter who we get in, it’s about now and we need to win. January is a very difficult window. In January, you can pay over the odds for players.

“I’m not sure manager will prepared to do that.’’ REF: ATT: the be BIRMINGHAM PRESTON MAIKEL KIEFTENBELD has invited his father to watch him every week after making an early claim for freak goal of the season.

The Dutch midfielder (above) rarely troubles the scorers at Birmingham – four in 133 league appearances tells the story.

But Kieftenbeld’s opener is destined to go into football folklore after Preston keeper Declan Rudd allowed the softest of misplaced passes to roll into the net with no one anywhere near him.

“I’ve never scored a goal like that,” admitted Kieftenbeld. “I didn’t see my goal. I turned around when the crowd were celebrating and I saw the ball in the net so then I started celebrating.

“It was nice, especially because my dad Joop was over here watching as well, so it was nice to give him something.

“He knows I don’t score that often, but he was happy as well. I will tell him now to come over every game.”

Kieftenbeld scored at the start of the second half and Birmingham added further goals from Jacques Maghoma and Che Adams to end the week on a high with two wins after losing the Second City derby.

Preston’s nine-match unbeaten run came to a crashing halt but Rudd was not being blamed.

Midfielder Paul Gallagher said: “I believe it was a freaky goal but these things happen. He’s a strong lad, he will come back from it. In previous games he’s been brilliant, made great saves. As a team we need to take it on the chin and move forward.”

BIRMINGHAM CITY: PRESTON: REF: MOTM

MATCH STATS

ATT: MAIKEL KIEFTENBELD (BIRMINGHAM)