Blackburn manager leaves Yorke out

LONDON: Blackburn Rovers manager Graeme Souness has relegated Trinidad and Tobago’s big name player Dwight Yorke to being his “sixth-choice” striker. Yorke, a two-million pound (US$3.7 million) purchase from Manchester United two years ago, is fit but was left at home as Souness and rest of his squad travelled to Germany to prepare for the new season. Souness has accused the 32-year-old Yorke of allowing his social life to detract from his football, and believes Yorke will live to regret not giving his all.  “His social life has taken over from his business side,” Souness said.

“Unfortunately, although the lad might not see it now, he will be 40 one day and he will be unhappy with himself because he did not give it everything he should have done. Once that time has gone, it has gone forever and, take it from one who knows, the best days of any footballer’s life are when you are playing,” said the 51-year-old Souness, a former Scotland captain and Liverpool midfield star. “It is frustrating to watch because when we do fitness tests on him he is up there with the best —  but sadly there is no test you can do on his head to make him fully focused.  Dwight is fit but I have not brought him to Germany with the rest of the squad. What’s the point? I have Jon Stead, Andy Cole, Matt Jansen, Paul Dickov and Paul Gallagher —  that’s five strikers.”

But Yorke blames Souness for his career going off the rails at Ewood Park.  Yorke claims his relationship with Souness soured after a training ground clash between the pair in March.  “Souness came over the top of me in a tackle during training. He could have broken my leg —  I have absolutely no doubt about that,” Yorke told reporters.  “Who knows what effect that would have had on my career. I was astonished when it happened. My leg was badly gashed, bruised and swollen and I still have the scar on my shin to show what happened. From that moment I just lost all respect for Souness. We have hardly spoken a word since —  apart from the occasional ‘Good morning’ if we pass each other in the corridor,” said Yorke, a massive 12.6 million pound (US$20 million) signing six years ago from Aston Villa to Manchester United, where he enjoyed huge success including a player of the year award.