UK club extends Jones’ loan deal

LONDON: English League One football club Sheffield Wednesday are desperately trying to extend the loan deal of Trinidad and Tobago international Kenwyne Jones, especially after his recent brilliant scoring form for the club. The 20-year old striker has already scored six times in five appearances for the South Yorkshire club after beginning his loan deal from Premiership team Southampton on December 17.

And with the loan deal expected to run out on January 15, manager Paul Sturrock is keen to hold onto the in-form striker who has contributed significantly to Wednesday’s five-match unbeaten run and their leap to fourth in the standings. “I think he would like to stay because he wants to play first team football,” Sturrock told The Sun newspaper.  “We’re talking to Southampton about extending his loan here.”  He added: “We are just waiting for word back. Whether it will happen, I don’t know. You will have to chat with the chairman.” Jones, who arrived at Southampton last summer but is yet to play first team football for that outfit, scored twice as Sheffield routed relegation-threatened Wrexham 4-0 on Monday. He scored Wednesday’s lone goal in their New Year’s Day fixture against Luton Town and was on target three days earlier as Wednesday won 2-0 at Port Vale.

“Scoring goals will always excite fans but you have to remember there is more to the game than that,” Sturrock told the Yorkshire Post. “I was hot happy with his contribution in the first half but relatively happy with his contribution in the second.” After scoring his brace, the Yorkshire Post described Jones as “unpredictable, sometimes even clumsy, but still possessing enough physical presence to excel in League One.” “Jones was given a standing ovation when substituted near the end and clearly revelled in the adulation of the crowd,” the newspaper reported.