Simpson excited at Riza’s resurgence

Monday 6th July 2009, 2:25PM BST.

omer-riza Shrewsbury Town manager Paul Simpson today revealed his excitement about the prospect of seeing a fully fit Omer Riza in his squad.

Simpson, speaking at the club’s pre-season training camp at Desert Springs in Almeria, said that what he had seen from Riza during the first week of pre-season training will have most fans on the edge of their seats.

“We are going to see a fully fit Omer Riza this season if he gets a full pre-season under his belt,” said the Town boss.

“He didn’t get that last season, and you could tell from what he gave on the pitch that his fitness wasn’t quite right.

“Already from the three or four days training we have had back at home and here in Spain, he has already excited me from what I have seen of him.”

Riza, who served a lengthy ban from the Turkish FA for a contractual dispute, only became available for a handful of games at the end of last season.

But Simpson is confident he can make a difference when the new season gets underway next month.

“Physically he is as strong as an ox, he has got a lively brain and he is a leading type of character that I want,” Simpson added. “He will be a very useful weapon.”

By Sam Morris