Gidds Gets Another Year

Last updated : 19 April 2007 By Covsupport

Coventry City defender Stuart Giddings has been given a year extension to his contract. The left back,born in Coventry, progressed through the Academy and reserves but when he was on the verge of a regular first team place, injuries started to be collected.

Knee,Ankle,hamstring and thigh injuries all meant that the 21 year old's City career has been limited for the last three seasons with only a substitute appearance against Cardiff City this season being his only first team outing. His contract was due to expire in the summer but Iain Dowie had seen enough of Giddings to feel that another chance was merited.

Dowie told the CT: "Stuart is out of contract at the end of the season but I will keep him for another year. "But he has got a lot to do Stuart, and I have told him that and it is about him now and the ball is in his court. "We will make sure we get him fit and ready for the pre-season.

"Unfortunately he has got a thigh problem but he has got good calibre, a bit of history and top level quality and he has got to find that again, and he knows that. "He came back last time and I think he lacked a bit of fitness and has never quite got it right since I have been here.

"So he will have a very hard pre-season and he has got to come back raring to go and then he has got a year to prove himself. "Either he kicks on and becomes what we think he can or he doesn't, so that's where we are. "I like him as a kid and this little knock he has on his thigh is another blow to him.

"He might be fit for the last couple of reserve games but again, he has missed the opportunity of maybe being involved around the first team now."