Chris McCann can be like a new signing for Burnley FC
CLARETS boss Brian Laws kept his powder dry ahead of the close of the transfer window.
But forward Martin Paterson feels he could make the equivalent of a multi-million pound marquee signing in time for what the club hopes will be a promotion run-in.
Chris McCann was ruled out for at least six months following anterior cruciate knee ligament surgery three weeks ago, with hopes high of a full recovery in time to play some part at the business end of the season.
Paterson is a huge fan of the 23-year-old midfielder, with whom he spent time rehabilitating as the pair picked up knee injuries 12 months ago, and he believes McCann will still be a key man in the push for a return to the Premier League: "Chris will be fine. He's mentally strong, he's a tough lad.
"The positive thing is, if he comes back fit any time this season, what a player to receive back.
"To get Chris McCann back is like a 5million signing in my eyes.
"It was terrible news. To miss the Premier League season pretty much and then to come back...
"He looked fantastic in pre-season. I think he played in the first couple of games and out in Singapore he was by far the best player on the pitch and just fell awkwardly again onto his knee.
"It's terrible, but Chris is a top player and he'll spend most of his career in the Premier League, I've no doubt in that. Hopefully he just gets back fine."
McCann missed most of last season with another knee problem, making an abortive return in January before being forced off in the defeat at Bolton.
And Paterson feels his absence was a key factor in the club suffering relegation: "It was devastating for the club. I think he's the biggest loss we could ever have.
"You talk about missing players, I think Chris being injured last year coincided with us being relegated as he's so important for us.
"I don't think fans or people see how important he is to the squad. If you're an intelligent footballing mind I think you'll realise the job he does in midfield, breaking forward, scoring goals – just probably the most energetic player in the league."
Meanwhile, Laws resisted an offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray for centre back Andre Bikey on Tuesday ahead of the deadline, while also knocking back the chance to swap former loan striker David Nugent for one of a trio in his current squad.
Gala came in with a late bid for Bikey, believed to be in excess of the 1m-plus fee Burnley paid Reading – a club record for a defender – last summer, while Portsmouth boss Steve Cotterill, with a hit-list of three potential players to swap for Nugent, saw that deal fall down, with Laws unwilling to part with any of the trio, while Nugent's wages were also prohibitive.
A deal for a fringe player to move out on loan to the SPL wasn't completed in time either, with the player in question being one who has
played in Scotland before.
Laws is now waiting for the emergency loan window to reopen before assessing his options, with Chris Iwelumo hopeful of shaking off the
hamstring problem that has forced him out of Scotland's double-header in time to face Preston a week tomorrow.
Sure to be on Laws' hit-list are Premier League players not in their team's 25-man squads – although the ruling seems to have had little effect in making fit players available.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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