Boothroyd Plays Down Carsley Move

Last updated : 10 January 2011 By Covsupport News Service/RD

Coventry City manager Aidy Boothroyd has played down speculation surrounding the club captain Lee Carsley and his supposed move to become Walsall player manager.

"I think Lee has got another couple of years playing in him and I want him here with me," said Boothroyd to the CT. "He's been brilliant, everything I thought he would be."

"He's been outstanding on the field, one of those player's I know will always give me at least seven out of 10 every week and he's a strong voice in dressing room, along with Marlon King. They've been there and done it and want to be successful."

"I'll have a chat with him because I know it's something he wants to do in time. He's taken his badges, I think he's got his A Licence now and I have no doubt he will go on to become a really good coach or a manager or whatever he wants to be, but I think it's really important to learn the trade, spend time at the coalface, working with kids, making mistakes, because as soon as you go into a management job you're expected to get results."

Carsley is the oldest players at the club, he will be 37 next month, but his absence from the Coventry side that beat Crystal Palace in the third round FA Cup tie on Saturday was down to him being rested and nothing to do with his imminent departure.

Boothroyd joked: "We took him out of the old people's home last week and he was creaking more than he normally does so I decided it was time for him to have a rest. If you play somebody like him in every game and don't take the opportunity to rest him, it can become a problem later on."

"I'm hoping that for the last 15 games we've got everybody back, everybody fit, because that's the time when some teams blow up and some go on a run so that's when you want to get your form going. He was in the dressing room, helping to get the lads geed up and ready, and now I'm sure that he will be fighting fit for Sheffield United on Saturday."