Libor Kozak

[LeeB]

I reckon in about 18 months he'll be absolutely banging them in.

[Mister E]

I like Libor. He works his nards off and has a good eye for goal. As long as we play to his feet and don't have him chasing hopeful balls into the channel or 20 yards above his head, he'll be alright. I would say his role would be that of a squad option to rotate and cover our main man, whether that's Benteke, or a replacement. Our focal point needs to have pace. Benteke does, Kozak doesn't.

If Libor started 20 odd games next season with a further 10-15 sub appearences in the league, that would be about right. I'd also fancy him to hit double figures in terms of goals too. For me he's a Tommy Johnson. He'll do a good job when he comes in and chip in with his fair share, works hard, but is not quite first choice standard.

how do you think he'd be alongside  Benteke? I wonder whether the Beast would actually be better with someone sharing the physical challenges ...

[supertom]

I like Libor. He works his nards off and has a good eye for goal. As long as we play to his feet and don't have him chasing hopeful balls into the channel or 20 yards above his head, he'll be alright. I would say his role would be that of a squad option to rotate and cover our main man, whether that's Benteke, or a replacement. Our focal point needs to have pace. Benteke does, Kozak doesn't.

If Libor started 20 odd games next season with a further 10-15 sub appearences in the league, that would be about right. I'd also fancy him to hit double figures in terms of goals too. For me he's a Tommy Johnson. He'll do a good job when he comes in and chip in with his fair share, works hard, but is not quite first choice standard.

how do you think he'd be alongside  Benteke? I wonder whether the Beast would actually be better with someone sharing the physical challenges ...

I think it depends on the game to be honest and the way we set up. You could actually conceivably put Benteke as the left forward and then perhaps put Gabby on the right. In a straight 2 man up top, I'm not sure I'd go for it. But Benteke does like drifting out to the left and then cutting in, so having his starting point on left side could work.
I wouldn't go for it every game however.

My major worry about any time Lambert would play Benteke and Kozak, is that it would either be in a game where he all but writes off playing football, or if he brings on Kozak to try and change a game slipping out our hands. I think we'd resort to Guzan as our playmaker.

[Caiphus]

He should be smashing out the weights to improve his upper body strength while he is rehabbing his leg.  His pace won't matter so much if defenders just bounce off him...

[SoccerHQ]

I like Libor. He works his nards off and has a good eye for goal. As long as we play to his feet and don't have him chasing hopeful balls into the channel or 20 yards above his head, he'll be alright. I would say his role would be that of a squad option to rotate and cover our main man, whether that's Benteke, or a replacement. Our focal point needs to have pace. Benteke does, Kozak doesn't.

If Libor started 20 odd games next season with a further 10-15 sub appearences in the league, that would be about right. I'd also fancy him to hit double figures in terms of goals too. For me he's a Tommy Johnson. He'll do a good job when he comes in and chip in with his fair share, works hard, but is not quite first choice standard.

how do you think he'd be alongside  Benteke? I wonder whether the Beast would actually be better with someone sharing the physical challenges ...

It hasn't worked in the limited games we've done it before he got injured. Benteke certainly prefers playing with pace either side of him.

I think SuperTom has summed up Kozak for next season well.

If Benteke leaves I'd love to see us go for someone like Loic Remy as his replacement. I Think he'd be great here. Obviously wages would be difficult (although if Benteke and Bent leave that's 100k off the forward wage bill) but he'd be an ambitious signing no question.

[achilles]

I like Libor. He works his nards off and has a good eye for goal. As long as we play to his feet and don't have him chasing hopeful balls into the channel or 20 yards above his head, he'll be alright. I would say his role would be that of a squad option to rotate and cover our main man, whether that's Benteke, or a replacement. Our focal point needs to have pace. Benteke does, Kozak doesn't.

If Libor started 20 odd games next season with a further 10-15 sub appearences in the league, that would be about right. I'd also fancy him to hit double figures in terms of goals too. For me he's a Tommy Johnson. He'll do a good job when he comes in and chip in with his fair share, works hard, but is not quite first choice standard.

how do you think he'd be alongside  Benteke? I wonder whether the Beast would actually be better with someone sharing the physical challenges ...

It hasn't worked in the limited games we've done it before he got injured. Benteke certainly prefers playing with pace either side of him.

I think SuperTom has summed up Kozak for next season well.

If Benteke leaves I'd love to see us go for someone like Loic Remy as his replacement. I Think he'd be great here. Obviously wages would be difficult (although if Benteke and Bent leave that's 100k off the forward wage bill) but he'd be an ambitious signing no question.

Good opinions all round, agree with most if not all.

[PeterWithesShin]

OS

Christian Benteke looks set to be in the squad for the game against Man City this weekend.

Paul Lambert revealed that barring any last-minute hitches his intention is to include Benteke in the matchday group on Saturday.

It's a big boost for the forward, who played 60 minutes for the U21s on Monday against Bolton.

Lambert has been pleased with his progress and now hopes to see him available in the clash with the champions.

He said: "If everything goes okay tomorrow and he feels okay, then I will put Christian in the squad.

"He's come through the last few weeks unscathed.

"He played for an hour on Monday in the U21s.

"We will see how he is tomorrow but my intention is that he'll be in the squad.

"First and foremost, his leg is better - his achilles is okay. He has no ill effects on it whatsoever.

"He came through the U21s pretty good and trained for the rest of the week."

Ron Vlaar looks set to miss out on Saturday while Libor Kozak has had a setback in his return.

Vlaar has been absent against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea after injuring his calf against Hull.

Lambert is hopeful of seeing the skipper soon after the international break.

Kozak was making good progress from his broken leg but his return has been put back.

He added: "Ron is doing really well. This one is probably too early. Hopefully we will see him after the break.

"Libor had another operation on Wednesday. He's had a setback on his leg but hopefully that will start to heal."

[ciggiesnbeer]

Bugger. Poor bloke.

[eamonn]

Operation means more rehab before he begins even light training. He'll have missed a good year before he's match-fit, then getting him up to speed will be another couple of months. 2015/16 it is then for him to blossom.

[BoskoDjembaSalifou]

How close was he to returning before this setback?

[Gregorys Boy]

That is sad to hear, hopefully it is not too much of a set back.  Good luck to him in his recovery.

[Pete3206]

Bollocks

[mrastonvilla]

Has any detailed information about the injury ever come out of the club? It must have been one hell of a break to take this long to recover, particularly after having even more surgery after having returned to training.

[Hairbandinho]

Clark the clumsy oaf

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Bollocks

This.