St Albans City boss admits defeat in bid to get Luton Town's Godfrey Poku back to Clarence Park (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

St Albans City boss admits defeat in bid to get Luton Town's Godfrey Poku back to Clarence Park

10:30am Thursday 28th January 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

Steve Castle has admitted defeat in his attempt to get Godfrey Poku back on loan from Luton Town.

The midfielder joined the Hatters on an 18-month deal earlier this month and the Saints manager was confident of getting him back until the end of the season.

But Poku earned a place on the Luton bench in their win at Gateshead last weekend and Castle does not think he will return to Clarence Park.

Castle admitted: "It's like whatever job you were in. If you got promotion, why would you come back and be demoted? He's getting himself involved in full time football in a league higher.

"As we've all said to him, good luck to him. He was a great servant for the short amount of time he was here. I've discounted it even though it might not be 100 per cent dead. If he's on the bench then they're obviously looking to get him involved."

The Saints were thrashed 5-0 at Blue Square South leaders Newport County on Saturday. Castle is convinced his side were beaten by the champions elect, after their heaviest league defeat for two seasons, but still felt hard done by after their opener came when goalkeeper Paul Bastock appeared to be fouled.

Castle said: "I think the referee has been very generous to the home team. There were some silly fouls but I found that a little hard to swallow. We should have been 1-1 with Ryan Frater's chance which would have been a nice score at half time.

"They're top of the table and they’re there for a reason. They're a very confident team and all the lads are playing at the top of their game. They have a very competitive team and I’d be amazed if they don't go up.

"We've got a very young team and some times when we're not getting the rub of the green they have let it affect them. I've told them they can't do that but it's human nature. It's disappointing but the five goals did flatter them.

"It's been disappointing. I've probably put a brave face on things. But I’m realistic enough to know when you're coming here with a bit of a skeleton squad you are on a hiding to nothing."

Castle handed a debut to striker Chris Sullivan, who has joined from Canvey Island, and also had versatile youngster Harry Wheeler on the bench last weekend. He added: "Harry's been in and around. He's a St Albans boy and very much a utility player we've signed up. We're very thin on the ground and I've had a look at him in training.

"He showed enough in training to warrant a place on the substitute's bench and hopefully he'll get his chance in due course.

"Chris was obviously at AFC Wimbledon last year but he's had his fair share of injuries. He's not match fit but with the budget we've got that's what we're going to get. If we can get him fit then I'm sure he will be a big acquisition for the team."

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)