Irvine backs Simek to regain form

With Lewis Buxton set to miss around a month of the season due to a hamstring injury it gives the chance for Frank Simek to stake his claim for the right back slot.  

Simek looks set to start a game for the first time since the FA Cup defeat to Crystal Palace on January 2nd, with his only other appearance since then being a sub appearance in the two - one win over Plymouth last weekend where he replaced the injured Buxton.

The American international has of course struggled with injury since rupturing ankle ligaments back in 2007 and he has been in and out of the side since his rehabilitation from that injury and subsequent injuries since then.

Many Owls fans will say that he has lost a yard of pace or he isn't the same player he was, but Alan Irvine has seen enough of the popular right back in training to suggest that Simek can return to his former high standards.

Irvine said: 'Frank has got a very strong chance to stake his claim in the team now. When players get in the team it's up to them to grab that chance.

'He has had a lot of injuries and that's a real shame because it was not that long ago that people were watching Frank from the Premier League and thinking about him as a player who would make that step.

'There's no question that he's a good player, it's just about how ready he is to step up to the first team, but he's a very good professional and I expect he will be able to come in and do very well.'



 

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