Westley expects striker Silva to make an impact

Give Silva game time

CandH Exclusive by Hugh Southon

Terry Westley is hoping the impressive Xande Silva can stay injury free this season believing that if he does there’s every chance of him making a real impression on the first team strike force.

The club’s academy chief leaves later this month to become Technical Director of Japan’s J League admitting that at 59 “opportunities like that don’t come along too often at my age and I had a decision to make.”

Terry has overseen a memorable five years at the helm of the academy with Declan Rice his huge protegee but he is keen to see Portugal’s Silva make the impact he expects.

Before flying out to Japan Terry spoke with CandH and said:”Xande did really well in his opening games – a hat-trick against Spurs but suffered a lot of injury problems.

That halted him and at the moment the jury is probably out a bit but he has great strength and is no mug on the ball – very comfortable and if he gets a run of games I really expect him to make his presence felt.

He could well be one of those who makes the trip to the Asia Cup with perhaps the likes of Conor Coventry, Nathan Holland and Josh Cullen.

Obviously the strike force is likely to be broken up from last season and if it goes well for him I think Xande can hopefully force his way through.”