Photo by ISIPhotos.com
By DAN KARELL
Only days after signing a contract with Queens Park Rangers, manager Harry Redknapp is ready to hand defender Oguchi Onyewu his debut on Saturday.
According to QPRs website, Onyweu is included in the team squad that’s heading to Burnley for a top of the table clash on Saturday. The Hoops sit two points behind Burnley with 27 points from 11 games, though they do have a game in hand on Burnley.
“Oguchi has been training with us for a few weeks,” Redknapp said on QPR’s website. “He’s done well. He’s a fantastic lad with a great attitude.”
The American international had been without a club since parting ways with Sporting Lisbon in August. In addition, Redknapp said at his pre-match press conference that U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke with him on the phone about Onyewu’s international future.
“Jurgen Klinsmann rung me about him, to recommend him,” Redknapp said. “He said he’s probably, almost certainly going to be in his squad for the World Cup. And really he’s a big fan of his. He likes him very much.”
Since suffering a torn patella tendon in his right knee in 2009, Onyewu has struggled to find a regular place at a club, playing in a total of 54 games in the last four years for AC Milan, FC Twente, Sporting Lisbon, and Malaga. The 68-time capped USMNT defender is desperate to regain his place in the national team after positive performances in the last nine months from Omar Gonzalez and Matt Besler.
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What do you think of these developments? Excited to see how Onyewu does in the Championship? Do you see him helping QPR obtain promotion? Do you see him receiving regular playing time under Redknapp?
Share your thoughts below.