LONDON, CMC:
PRESTON NORTH End manager Craig Brown believes that his star Jamaican striker Ricardo Fuller may need knee surgery again, following the collapse of his move to the premier league club Portsmouth.
The 25-year-old Fuller, who had minor surgery at the end of the 2003/2004 season in May, will see the knee specialist again this week.
"He may have to have the right knee operated on," said Brown.
"We don't know yet, but I think he is anxious to have another word with the specialist," Brown added.
FAILED MEDICAL
Fuller's proposed two million pound (US$3.75 million) move from Preston North End to Portsmouth crashed last weekend after he failed a medical.
The North End boss also revealed that had the deal been completed on Friday the club had lined up an expensive replacement for last season's top scorer:
"We didn't go out and (immediately) sign an expensive striker to replace him because you could never be 100 per cent certain any transfer would go through.
"It could have been for disagreement over terms, the fee, the agents fee, there are so many imponderables. We had an expensive striker in mind if he had gone, but we wisely didn't go and buy him because Ricardo's back, we know what he can do," Brown said.
Fuller turned up at the side's 4-1 victory over Chorley on Saturday and a small section of the crowd jeered him, which annoyed Brown.
"He's a professional player and is looking after his personal interests. I think it is unfair after what he has done for the club, but I think they are disappointed that he didn't honour his contract.
"However, I'm sure if he played again and played the way he can, that'll soon change.
"There's a guy coming along to support his colleagues at the game and you would want him to do that, but that sort of reaction would discourage him," Brown said.
Fuller hit 19 goals for Preston in the league and cup last season and became one of the most exciting players in the First Division.
