CHARLTON ATHLETIC MANAGER Lee Bowyer has expressed his determination to ensure that Aiden McGeady’s loan spell is a success.
After falling out of favour at League One club Sunderland, McGeady has moved back up to the Championship by joining Charlton until the end of the season.
Just over 24 hours after competing his deadline-day move to London, the 33-year-old winger — who hasn’t played a game since 26 November — was an unused substitute for his new club’s 2-1 win against Barnsley.
McGeady will instead hope to make his Charlton debut this weekend, with the Addicks on the road for a meeting with Michael O’Neill’s Stoke City.
The experienced Republic of Ireland international, who joined Sunderland in 2017, had been thriving for the Black Cats following their relegation to League One.
After being named their Player of the Year for the 2018-19 campaign, he was rewarded with a contract extension to remain at the Stadium of Light until the summer of 2021.
However, Sunderland boss Phil Parkinson told the former Celtic, Spartak Moscow and Everton player in December that he’d be free to leave the club during the January transfer window.
Amid reports that he was involved in a training ground incident, McGeady was banished from the first-team squad and forced to train with the club’s U23 side.
“McGeady is a great player,” Bowyer said today in his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s trip to the Bet365 Stadium.
“Whatever has gone on in the past is gone and it’s nothing to do with me. My job now is to get him back to where we know he can be.
“He scores goals and makes assists and I’m delighted that he’s in our squad. He brings us something different.”
McGeady scored 14 goals in all competitions for Sunderland last season before Charlton ended their promotion hopes in the League One play-off final at Wembley.
He won the most recent of his 93 senior caps in Ireland’s World Cup play-off defeat to Denmark in November 2017.
Charlton, who also have Ireland midfielder Josh Cullen on loan from West Ham United, currently sit in 19th place in the Championship, four points clear of the relegation zone.
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If u think this is a sensational finish u don’t watch much NRL
@Willie Murphy: Ah Willie, I never said it was the greatest try ever scored in NRL history. Seriously, if you’re not impressed by that, we’ll have to get you out for a game some time.
@Niall Kelly: have a look at Jordan Rapana’s try earlier for the Raiders, unreal
@Willie Murphy: should have carried in opposite hand! That’s what I’d have done as I text with my right.
@Niall Kelly: I would take u up on that offer but unfortunately I’m in New Zealand! But don’t worry I’m sure il find a kick about round these parts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed2T3pknD0Q&sns=tw via @youtube
Don’t think it would even make the list
@filthypete: always had you down as a one hand typist
Never mind that, clash of colours much?