Well to look at Gazapo
Published 16:41 24/06/10 By Pa Sports
Spanish striker Carlos Gazapo will join Motherwell on trial next week as manager Craig Brown bids to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season.
Gazapo, who spent last season with Rayo Vallecano, will be put through his paces when the rest of the squad returns for pre-season training. The Steelmen's campaign begins when they host Icelandic side Breidablik on July 15 in the second qualifying round of the Europa League and Brown is keen to bolster his playing staff.
"We're trying to improve the squad, that's for sure," he said. "We've got a Spanish lad, Carlos Gazapo, coming in on trial. He spent last season with Rayo Vallecano. The season before he finished the league's top scorer with Vallecas so we'll have a look at him to see how he shows up in training."
Brown has refused to give up hope of seeing Everton due John Ruddy and Lukas Jutkiewicz back at Fir Park but admits those hopes are fading slightly.
He added: "We have lost four players, well, two for sure in Jim O'Brien and Michael McGlinchey, but most probably four if you add John Ruddy and Lukas Jutkiewicz.
"With each day that passes, the odds on them coming back are lengthening. We're not totally writing them off as yet though.
"David Moyes has told me that both will start pre-season with them before they make a decision. If he doesn't try and sell them, then we'll reiterate our interest in both players. But we've got other irons in the fire."
Meanwhile, Brown - who has just returned from the Middle East where he has been working for Al Jazeera during the World Cup - is refusing to underestimate their European opponents.
He told www.motherwellfc.co.uk: "When the draw was made, I have to confess, I wasn't familiar with the team Breidablik. However, all my experiences of Icelandic football, both as a player and as a coach with the national team, have been very positive. I have great respect for Icelandic football.
"It will be a very tricky fixture for us. We have got to show respect to our opponents and we'll have to be at our very best to win the tie. By the time we play Breidablik, they'll have played 12 or 13 league matches and will be sharp."
