Downing gets back in frame.Byline: Mat Kendrick STEWART Downing Stewart Jason Downing (born July 22, 1984 in Middlesbrough) is an English football player, who currently plays for Middlesbrough, and is in the England squad. A natural left-footer, Downing plays on the left side of midfield in a traditional winger's role. will step up his comeback with a specially-arranged practice match on Wednesday after his shock Villa debut on Saturday. Martin O'Neill sprang a surprise by including Downing in his squad at Burnley and the former Middlesbrough winger made a 20-minute cameo cameo (kăm`ēō), small relief carving, usually on striated precious or semiprecious stones or on shell. The design, often a portrait head, is commonly cut in the light-colored vein, and the dark one is left as the background. appearance from the bench. Downing was not expected to be in contention for firstteam action until next month after only just returning to training following his long lay-off with a broken foot. But Villa have organised a private friendly for him in midweek to boost his fitness as the summer signing closes in on his first start for his new club. "It's a big plus for him to get on the field of play," said O'Neill. "In terms of real match fitness he's a bit of a distance away, but I thought I'd give him a little spurt spurt Vox populi A surge or abrupt ↑ in the size or speed of a thing. See Fat spurt, Growth spurt. here and he might provide something for us. "He's got into the action early, which was great, and he can only improve from there. "We've a game midweek for him that he'll play in with a wee bit of luck if he's not too stiff. "But just to get out and be part of it after having that injury from the back end of last season is just great for him." The pounds 10 million Villa paid for Downing, possibly rising to pounds 12 million with addons, could make the England hopeful the club's record purchase. But O'Neill is confident that during the second half of the season the 25-yearold will show why he gambled on signing the injured in·jure tr.v. in·jured, in·jur·ing, in·jures 1. To cause physical harm to; hurt. 2. To cause damage to; impair. 3. lef t-footer. "He's a very decent player," he added. "He's played a number of times for England. "I might be wrong about this, but I think if he stays clear of injury then we'll probably see the best of him maybe at Christmas and onwards on·ward adj. Moving or tending forward. adv. also on·wards In a direction or toward a position that is ahead in space or time; forward. Adv. 1. . "Stewart is very positive indeed within himself and any time he's been down to see the specialist it's always been encouraging news. "I would say this but I think the medical staff here are very good, so it's a combination of those things. "He may have been just a little bit surprised to be involved at Burnley, but I thought we'll run with it." MATCH ACTION: PAGES 22-23 CAPTION(S): Surprise debut: Villa winger Stewart Downing. |
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