Sturrock Praise For Strikers

Last updated : 03 April 2004 By Mad Reporter

Sturrock was delighted with Saints success and said after the game: "We started the game well and that set the tone for the whole match.

"The front two, Beattie and Phillips, were superb. When Beattie is in that kind for form he is superb and I would like to think that he has a chance of playing for England this summer.

"Phillips has had a twinkle in his step over the last couple of weeks and he is getting back to the way he used to play for Sunderland. Hopefully we can reap the benefits of that for the rest of the season.

"All the players have responded well to what I have asked of them and to have won three of my first four games in charge is very pleasing."

Sturrock also had words of praise for Lundekvam and added: "I always have a go at Claus in training.

"I call him 'The Jersey' as I say that 'it is just a jersey that goes up there not a player.' I am very pleased for him."

The only disappointment for Sturrock was that he lost skipper Jason Dodd at the start of the second-half after a rash challenge by Camara.

Sturrock revealed: "It looks like medial ligament damage but we will not know the full extent of the damage for 36 hours.

"I think it was a clumsy rather than a malicious challenge and hopefully it will not mean the end of his season."