Larnell Cole open to extending loan stay at Caley Thistle
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LARNELL Cole would be willing to extend his loan deal at Caley Thistle, if an agreement can be reached with Fulham.
A need for regular football, something he feels he will probably not get at Craven Cottage, could persuade Cole to prolong his stay in the Highlands.
The former Manchester United trainee initially signed a short-term loan until January but his spell with the Caley Jags has been hampered by an achilles injury.
However, he returned to the team for the game against Celtic a fortnight ago and with injury and suspension ruling out Liam Polworth and Greg Tansey tomorrow against Aberdeen, Cole is in contention to start.
That could well kick-start a run in the side for a player with obvious pedigree, who is open to staying with the Caley Jags.
“Yes, that is up to the gaffer. He might have that option to extend the loan deal. Fulham have kept in contact, asking how I am doing, but nothing much apart from that,” said Cole.
“I went there in January 2014 and the manager was sacked. Then I was injured and out for a year so it’s been stop-start. I never really got going. I need to find somewhere where I can get going again.
“I have had four different managers and there has been a lot of change, but that can make you a better person and player. You can learn so much throughout that time.”
Cole was brought to Fulham from United by Rene Meulensteen, who was first-team coach at Old Trafford prior to becoming the Cottagers’ boss.
He was replaced in February 2014 by Felix Magath, who presided over their relegation to the Championship, and next manager Kit Symons lasted a year before he was sacked. Serb Slavisa Jokanovic is the current man in charge.
A loan spell at Shrewsbury Town last season gave him the hunger back, after a year on the sidelines with a knee injury, and he hopes looking after himself off the park has him clear of injury.
“If you do get the chance and you take it you can prove yourself. You just have to be ready. I always seem to pick up a lot of niggles, but I am making sure now that you do the gym work and the rehab,” said Cole.
“Taking care of your body can take you further in your career, so I am making sure I am doing that to give myself the best chance.
“I was out for a year and you learn different things about your body and what you need to do. In the past, you train and you play and you don’t think about rehab and recovery. As you get older you know you have to take that more seriously, which I have done.”
Part of the same United under-21 sides as Adnan Januzaj and England players Michael Keane and Jesse Lingard, Cole feels his grounding at one of the world’s biggest clubs can only stand him in good stead.
“You learn so much from them, from the training and the work ethic which can live with you throughout your career, which is good,” he said.
“I’m still in touch with some of the players who are around my age, like Jesse Lingard. He’s doing really well and cementing his place in the United team and got into the England team as well.”
Cole may get his opportunity tomorrow with Tansey and Polworth, who is out for at least six weeks with ankle ligament damage, absent.
Caley Jags boss Richie Foran hoped to tie up contract extensions for Alex Fisher (six months) and Carl Tremarco (one year) as the Inverness Courier went to press.
Tremarco’s growth into making the left-back slot his own has made Inverness’ recruitment a lot easier, particularly after Graeme Shinnie’s departure.
“Carl has stepped in there superbly. Graeme was on some fine form when he was here – a top player,” said Foran. “Carl had to be patient for a long time. But when Graeme left, John Hughes didn’t go and look elsewhere and I haven’t looked elsewhere either.”
David Raven also looks set to miss out against the Dons, with concussion sustained prior to the Celtic game.
“Players have to go and perform day-in, day-out in training, show the right attitude and work as hard as they can,” added Foran.
“If so, they will be given their chance.”
