Camara strike confirms Bruce decision

Last updated : 20 July 2008 By Paul Farrington
Henri Camara: Second chance
Earlier in the week, Bruce had admitted that he thought Camara had left the club on a permenant basis but was more than willing to give the 31 year old striker another chance with the Latics.

Indeed, Camara has been putting in the work at pre-season training and scored the opening goal against St Veit yesterday after 31 minutes.

Youngsters Lewis Montrose and Tomasz Kuspisz both started the match, whilst David Cotterill also started, despite being linked with a move to Sheffield United.

It is always easy to read too much into pre-season friendlies, especially when Michael Brown manages to get on the score sheet. The 30 year old midfielder scored his first goal for the Latics to round off the scoring after Antoine Sibierski had netted on 60 minutes.

The French forward also put in a full ninety minutes and missed a late penalty after Kevin Kilbane was brought down in the box. Indeed, Sibierski himself, David Cotterill and Tomasz Kuspisz all had goals disallowed, but the 3-0 win and good work out were more than enough to please Bruce.

He said: "A great little work out but really, nobody should read too much into it because I used the game as a fitness exercise first and foremost.

"I'll change things around for the next game because the object of these matches really is to get everyone into shape and build overall match sharpness.

"Having said that, Henri took his goal very well and looked a handful. He's come back looking hungry and he's undoubtedly a talented player.

"The game came a bit too soon for Olivier Kapo but he is going to be a great addition to the squad and we'll see if he's ready on Tuesday."


Next up for the Latics is the more difficult proposition of Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday.

WIGAN ATHLETIC: Nash (Pollitt 46), Boyce, Bramble, Scharner, Kilbane; Cotterill, Brown, Montrose (Palacios 65), Kupisz; Sibierski, Camara (Valencia 65).