=>UNITED EYE HITCHIN STARLET
Wednesday 5th November 2003
EXCLUSIVE
By Simon Fudge
Hitchin Town manager Robbie O´Keefe has confirmed that young prodigy Shane Hill spent last week on trial with Manchester United´s youth academy.
The 16-year-old, who is a central midfielder, has impressed in the youth set-up with the Ryman League Premier Division outfit, having been a regular player in the Essex club´s reserves and Under-19 side.
Hill, son of former Luton Town and England midfielder Ricky ( pictured), has even earned a first team appearance with the non-league club recently in the Hertfordshire Senior Cup.
O´Keefe revealed that the Red Devils academy directors will make a decision on whether to take the youngster under their wings by the end of the year.
" Shane was on trial at their youth academy last week and they ( United) are monitoring him at the moment," said O´Keefe.
" They have said that they will let him know by December if they will take him on for next season."
Despite the interest from the Premiership giants, O´Keefe will hope he can hold on to his prized youngster and hand him his first professional contract when he turns 17.
" He is a youth trainee at our club but we do intend to sign him when he is 17," O´Keefe added.
=>Ca ferait pas mal de jeunes recrues tout de même avec Kompany et Adu qui sont supervisés aussi, plus un jeune de Wimbledon...
=>OLE PLEASED WITH PROGRESS
Tuesday 28th October 2003
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has issued an upbeat bulletin following his recent knee operation, but Manchester United´s Norwegian striker is not setting any deadlines for his comeback.
The 30-year-old had been playing with the problem for some time, but was forced to go under the knife when aggravating the injury against Panathinaikos in the UEFA Champions League in September.
Solskjaer is still on crutches but feels the injury is responding well to treatment.
" It is five weeks since the operation, so it has been about patience, working in the gym and working hard," the Norwegian said
" It is hard to say what is going on inside a knee, but it looks good."
Solskjaer revealed he had no option but to have surgery when suffering the setback against Panathinaikos.
" It ( surgery) had to happen because I was playing on with it and it wasn´t doing me any good," he told MUTV.
" I have been lucky with injuries in the past, so it is a learning experience. I have got to look at players who have had similar injuries, like Roy Keane, Ruud ( van Nistelrooy), Wes ( Brown) and Gary Neville."
The forward is hoping to dispense with his crutches in the near future, but is not setting any dates for a return to action.
" I will just start with walking I suppose," he added. " And then it will be a case of taking it one day at a time."
