Ronnie backed to bloom

Last updated : 06 September 2004 By Ben Collins

With both Nicky Weaver and Geert De Vlieger sidelined by injury, the 34-year-old former PSV Eindhoven keeper has been drafted in on a short-term deal to bolster City's ranks.

Flowers told the club's official website: "Obviously Nicky Weaver is out long-term which I knew before I came here, but what happened to Geert was just unfortunate.

"We had a lot of people contacting us when it was known that Geert was going to be out until after Christmas and it seemed that we had every Tom, Dick and Harry thrown at us.

"We had to be absolutely certain that whoever we went for could take over from David James if anything was to happen to him.

"Ronnie has come over here after ten years with PSV and time with the Dutch national squad so he has bundles of experience.

"At 34 he is physically in good condition. He knows the game well and can kick well with both feet which is important in today's game.

"I don't think there was any doubt that he was the best option for us and of course he was available to join us."