Scan & Contract – Must Be Delaney!

Mark Delaney underwent a scan after picking up a knee injury in the 1-1 FA Cup fifth round draw v Manchester City.

And now the club are hoping that he won’t face another long lay off.

‘We’ve had the results of the scan now and Mark will see a specialist later today. We’ll know a little bit more after that and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.’

He has just completed 13 games in a row having only played 3 in 19 at the start of yet another injury ravaged season and the timing for the 29-year-old couldn’t be worse after David O’Leary confirmed that he has recommended to the board that they take up the one year option on the Wales international defenders contract.

O’Leary told the official site: ‘The contract has an option in the club’s favour. Delaney’s representatives agreed to this option when the current contract was sorted out…Nothing has been said but I want the boy to stay, without a doubt. Any time he has played in general he has done very well for me. I’ve given my recommendation – and I’m sure the club will make the right recommendation as well.’

Gulp. He also recommended that they extend the contract of Eirik Bakke and that never happened!

Adding: ‘I’ve given the recommendation to the club that I want him to stay. I am hoping the response will be a positive one. The part I find unusual is this 12-month option which is only in the club’s favour that his representatives agreed to putting in.’