Loan Duo Hope To Extend Stay By The Seaside

Nicolau revealed to the Southend Evening Echo that he has enjoyed his stay so much that he may be tempted to leave the Premiership-winning Gunners in order to join the Shrimpers on a full-time basis. The 20-year-old, who has impressed with his surging runs from left-back during his month-long visit to Roots Hall, said, “I’ve enjoyed my time with Southend and it’s enjoyable playing first-team football”.

The key aspect of the Camden-born youngster’s possible stay is that he is out of contract at Highbury in June, and although Blues may be forced by Arsenal to pay some form of compensation since he is under the age of 23, that is unlikely to be a massive fee given his position behind Ashley Cole, Gael Clichy and Juan for the left-back spot in north London. He revealed, “I’m out of contract at the end of the season at Highbury and I would definitely be interested in staying here. Things have gone well and we will just have to wait and see how everything develops and what my situation is”.

Of course, should Arsenal decide to retain the first-year professional’s services, there is a huge possibility that he could sign on a season-long loan deal as a compromise, and Nicolau is unfazed by having to endure the hussle and bussle of the Nationwide League Third Division. He commented, “It’s been like what I expected but it is quite a physical division”.

Meanwhile, manager Steve Tilson has also hinted to BBC Essex that Pettefer may be on his way to Roots Hall on a permanent basis. He said, “Carl wants to sign for us and we’re not far away from getting him now”. The Portsmouth player is again out-of-contract in the summer, and with just two appearances from their struggling Division One days, Pompey boss Harry Redknapp is unlikely to worry about keeping Pettefer at Fratton Park.

Having spent a season at Exeter City in 2002/3, Pettefer has adjusted well to life in the basement division, and was one of the key figures in seeing that the Seasiders climbed completely out of the relegation mire with key wins over Scunthorpe United and Carlisle United.

And he could be joined by longer-term injury victim Jay Smith, whose deal runs out in the summer. Smith has told the official club website that he has received other offers for his services, but Southend remains his first choice. He said, “I have been offered a new contract and obviously I would like to stay”.

The energetic midfielder, signed in September 2002 by Rob Newman from Aston Villa, continued, “There are a few things that need sorting out, but hopefully I will be here next season. Obviously it’s been disappointing not being out there and a part of it. There is a good foundation here and hopefully I will be part of that once again”.

Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com