Michael's Wish

Michael Carrick is hoping that Glenn Roeder can bring some experience to the club in preparation for the new season.

With hopes of Rob Lee putting pen to paper on a one year deal, Michael welcomes his arrival if, as expected, it is completed.

"Rob has come in and been top notch, and he has all the experience in the world," he says.

But he also says that more experience is needed, and explains:

"The young lads need someone to look up to with a bit of experience and, no disrespect to the seniors we have got at the club already because they are top notch and first class, it just lacking in numbers.

"But it is up to the board and money takes over; we would all prefer if there were more players here."

He says he will not change his style for division one and adds:

"I have been playing like this since I was a little kid so I can't see the point in changing now."

But will it not be more hustle and bustle this season?

"If we let it be but we have come down from the Premiership and we are going to take games to other teams," he says.

"I am not even bothered who we are playing against, to be honest, because we have to be looking for three points all the time.

"With the quality we have got, though the numbers are thin at the moment, we have to look to win every game.

"Everyone says it is longer balls and a bit frantic in division one - but we have got to forget about that and concentrate on our own game."

As for whether he will make the first game of the season at Preston, he adds:

"I don't want to say anything because at first I was going to be back with the rest of the lads for the start of preseason and that didn't happen.

"So it is a case of when I am fit, I am fit, and if it takes another two or three weeks it will just have to be.

"It was another step forward at Wycombe and it has been longer than I thought."

Michael has now had two groin operations in six months and is hoping to put his troubles behind him.

"With it being an operation in the same area it has taken a bit longer to settle down so it has been a bit frustrating," he says.

"But the medical team and the gaffer have been brilliant and said 'when you are ready, you are ready'.

"Glenn has been first class with me and Tuesday was another step in the right direction after a training ground game the day before - the first time I had properly joined in with the boys.

"The next step was that run out, I am pleased I came through it and I am not any worse for it.

"I have been concentrating on getting fit and we will see how it goes."

Meanwhile, MD Paul Aldridge says about reports linking Southampton with Jermain Defoe:

"I can confirm there has been no bid from Southampton for Jermain."