Former Newcastle Striker on Trial At Rotherham
Rotherham currently sit bottom of the Championship table, having only picked up nine points in their first 14 games. They are hoping that with Leon Best’s experience might add to a squad that is severely lacking confidence at the moment.
Best only lasted 18 months at Newcastle, but it was by no means an unssuccessful stint. He actually played a decent supporting role in the fifth place finish of 2011/12 and scored 10 Premier League goals despite only starting 25 PL games.
Nevertheless, ever since moving to Blackburn in July 2012, he found it hard to replicate his strong scoring record.
Less than a month after signing for the midlands club, he suffered an injury to his anterior cruciate ligaments, ruling him out for at least six months. After coming back to full fitness, Best has only managed 13 Championship matches and spent the remainder of his contract out on a series of loans at Championship clubs.
Sheffield Wednesday were his first port of call, then last season he spent the first half of the season under Steve McClaren at Derby County, managing one goal in fifteen appearances.
The second half of the season saw things get even worse, with thirteen games for Brighton but no goals.
Nevertheless, he’ll now be looking to impress over the next week at the Millers, and get his career back on track.
“We’ve had a couple training with us this morning. Leon Best and Adam Drury are the two we’re having a look at.
Leon has experience of playing Premier League and Championship football. He’s a proven scorer that’s been out the game for a little bit.
Ideally you want to look at them in training and in a game, if not a couple of games. What Leon Best carries is experience.
It’d be good for Jonson, Jordan and Matty Derbyshire to have someone like that compete with. We’re looking at all areas.”
“Leon is a fit boy. He’s 29 and he looks lean and sharp and he’s been looking after himself. We just need to see if the hunger is there”
I hope for his sake that he can impress manager Neil Redfearn and revive what was a promising career at one stage. He was a hardworking player for us during his time in the North-East and it would be a great shame if his ligament injury were to summon the end of his playing time at this level.
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