http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/sport.cfm?id=115921
October 2001
DUNDEE’S Javier Artero took a remarkable
step to full recovery yesterday when he made a surprise return to training
yesterday, having driven to Scotland from his Madrid home.
The Dens Park player looked to be
lost for a lengthy period when diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two months
ago. However, the determined Spaniard pledged at the time to battle the
disease, and fulfilled that promise when joining yesterday’s preparations
for today’s clash at Dunfermline.
His return is ahead of schedule,
and Artero’s progress will be carefully monitored. "I have a fitness plan
worked out with both Ivano and Dario Bonetti and will do things gradually,"
he admitted.
"But I will not be rushing things.
I will see how I feel, but honestly do not think that I will have a problem."
Dundee will be without play-maker
Giorgi Nemsadze for the trip to Dunfermline as he has been ruled out for
three months with a knee injury. But striker Juan Sara is nearing fitness
and could return against the Pars, who have lost their last seven Scottish
Premier League games.
Lee Wilkie is back at the club but
manager Bonetti, who is chasing Crystal Palace’s Chinese international
Fan Zhiyi, has refused to restore him to the first-team pool.
Dunfermline manager Jimmy Calderwood
insists he is under no pressure whatsoever despite his side’s dramatic
decline. Managerless Motherwell have leapfrogged them and only St Johnstone,
with new boss Billy Stark in charge, are below.
But when asked if he was under any
pressure, Calderwood’s reply was short and emphatic. He said: "None whatsoever."
Calderwood added: "We’re remaining
confident now because we’re a good team, although we’re not showing it
at the moment."
He watched his side suffer yet another
defeat at the hands of First Division Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the
CIS Insurance Cup on Tuesday.
Dundee United were last night handed
a pre-match boost prior to this afternoon’s SPL meeting with Hibernian,
when midfielder Craig Easton put pen to paper in a new improved deal.
In signing the freshly negotiated
contract, which ties him to the club until 2004, Easton becomes the latest
product of the Tannadice youth system to pledge his future with the Tangerines.
The Airdrie-born 22-year-old has
been at Tannadice since 1995, and broke into the first team at the age
of 17, under former boss Tommy McLean.
Easton’s existing contract had been
due to expire this month, and although informal negotiations had been ongoing,
the serious business was completed without a hitch.
Meanwhile, Plymouth manager Paul
Sturrock has handed his son the opportunity to earn a contract at the Britannia
Stadium following his release from Dundee United.
The youngster was among six players
freed by Tannadice boss Alex Smith on Thursday. And he will now head to
the Nationwide Division 3 side on a six-week trial in a bid to win himself
a deal.
Dick Donnelly