Liverpool defender could now stay with Magpies for season
NOTTS County manager Paul Ince has revealed Liverpool defender Stephen Darby could now stay at Meadow Lane for the rest of the season – which could spell the end of club captain John Thompson's career at Meadow Lane.
Darby, 22, has been favoured at right-back ahead of Thompson since joining the Magpies at the start of this month.
He has started the last four games, and produced his best performance as Notts kept a first clean-sheet in five league games in a 1-0 win against Swindon Town on Tuesday night.
Ince has been hugely impressed with the youngster, and said Liverpool might be prepared to let him stay at Meadow Lane until May, though they are unlikely to let Notts extend the loan of Ince's son, Thomas, beyond January.
"Darbs has not had a bad game. He has been exceptional from the very first day he came here," said Ince. "He's only 22 but plays with a lot of maturity.
"He has good awareness and always puts himself in good positions. He's brave too. He will put his foot in and put his body on the line for the team.
"Thomas might have to go back, but hopefully we can keep Darbs.
"He's been schooled well at Liverpool and he's playing well at the moment. He is the type of player we want to bring into the side. We want to raise the bar."
Thompson has not played since being sent off in the first game of Ince's reign at Meadow Lane, a home league defeat to Southampton at the end of October and was not even in Notts' squad in two of their last three league games.
It is a remarkable change of fortune for the 29-year-old, who started 12 of the opening 13 league games of the season under Ince's predecessor Craig Short, who was urging the club's board to give Thompson a new deal.
After joining Notts in October 2008, Thompson is out of contract at the end of the season, and might not get an opportunity to prove his worth to Ince if Darby stays at the club.
Ince has already told one of the club's defenders, Graeme Lee, he has no future at Meadow Lane, and would not say if Thompson is part of his plans.
"I'm not making an assessment on anyone," he said. "Stephen Darby has come into the club and played absolutely fantastic."
http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/nottscounty/nottsnews/Liverpool-defender-stay-Magpies-season/article-2943899-detail/article.htmlSounds to me like Ince is hinting that he wants him there permanently. I think it would be a good move for all involved.
Logged