JUAN Cobian has set his Latin heart on helping Wanderers make up for their Wembley nightmare with another determined promotion push next season.
The Argentine defender is nursing a foot injury after a 35-minute trial at Stoke on Saturday. But he is confident of getting another chance to impress at Blackpool on Wednesday and hopeful he will eventually secure a contract at the Reebok.
"I want to stay here," said the 23-year-old former Boca Juniors and Sheffield Wednesday full-back, who replaced ankle injury victim Neil Cox after just 25 minutes of the 2-1 friendly defeat at the Britannia Stadium and was forced to limp off himself on the hour mark.
Cobian, who speaks fluent English, is well aware of the club's financial position and certainly isn't counting chickens as he continues his 'trial' stint after being released by Hillsborough boss Danny Wilson.
"The gaffer (Colin Todd) has said I am not on trial," he suggested, "I'm just waiting for a contract.
"But he tells me he has to sell some players first. Maybe something will happen this week."
Cobian, Cox and Paul Warhurst (hamstring injury) joined goalkeepers Steve Banks and Keith Branagan on the casualty list after the Stoke friendly.
Cox hobbled off after twice twisting his left ankle and, after Cobian had left the field, Warhurst was taken off after overstretching.
Todd is hoping none of the defensive trio has suffered lasting damage. "At this stage of the pre-season it's not worth them carrying on if they feel something is wrong," he said. "The players tell you themselves; if there's any doubt they come off."
Denmark international and BEN-HB Player of the Season, Per Frandsen, watched Saturday's game from the dugout after returning from his lengthened summer break but he is expected to figure at Blackpool, unless there are dramatic developments on the transfer scene.
Everton are reported to have dropped their interest in the 28-year-old midfielder after Colin Todd contemptuously dismissed a Bradford City offer as "insulting" and "a slur on the player's ability".
Mark Fish, who was also given extended leave of absence after summer international commitments, was expected to return from South Africa to resume training today.
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