Comeback kid Andrew targets new Palace deal (From Sutton Guardian)

Comeback kid Andrew targets new Palace deal

11:28am Wednesday 25th November 2009

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Calvin Andrew is determined to earn a new contract at Crystal Palace after making his comeback from a six-month injury lay-off on Saturday.

The former Luton Town striker was expected to be out until the New Year after snapping the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee while on loan at Brighton in May, but came off the bench in the 1-1 draw at Coventry City.

"Where the treatment room is at our training ground you can see the lads outside training and having a laugh and a joke and you just want to be out there with them and you can't."

Calvin Andrew

The 22 year-old is one of nine players out of contract in the summer along with Shaun Derry, Matt Lawrence, Danny Butterfield, Johnny Ertl, Clint Hill, Stern John, Darryl Flahavan and Simon Thomas, but says he hopes to do enough between now and May to earn a new deal.

"I am confident I can make an impact between now and the end of the season," he said.

"It's all just about getting the feeling back and getting used to all the goings on again and hopefully I can go on to prove what I am about.

"The club has not said anything about a contract but I don't blame them.

"I have been out for so long you never know what a player is going to be like when he returns.

"I would like to think I have come back the same if not better though and getting the contract is my goal, then we will go from there."

Andrew admitted his time on the sidelines was hard but seeing the rest of the team train every day only spurred him on to get fit quicker.

"You do feel on the periphery when you are injured, that's the worst part of it," he said.

"Where the treatment room is at our training ground you can see the lads outside training and having a laugh and a joke and you just want to be out there with them and you can't.

"That makes you a little bit hungrier and makes you want it a little bit more and work a little harder.

"As much as it is a negative it is a positive as well.

"It gives you the goal right in front of your face, it's right there and that's what you are aiming for and that's where you need to be, it works both ways.

"It's a long, mentally tough process and it puts your football in a different perspective for you.

"Being out for so long you never know when your next game is going to be and you appreciate it more."

Manager Neil Warnock was full of praise for the forward having rewarded his impressive form in training with a place on the bench against Coventry.

"Calvin's been on fire in training," he said.

"He has been out six months and come back two months early and was battering McCarthy, Davis and Fonte in training.

"So I thought why not let him have 20 minutes battering Coventry and I think you could tell after five minutes Wood and Barnett just let him have it in the air, they knew they weren't going to win it and dropped off.

"There is a lot more to come for him and he's a smashing lad.

"He has worked so hard to get back from a nasty injury and it's nice to have him in the squad again."

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