Terry Dunfield could be in line to face Diego Maradona’s Argentina after being called up by Canada – while Graham Turner has stoked up speculation linking him with a sensational return to Shrewsbury Town as boss by insisting: “Management is my forte.”
Town midfielder Dunfield, 28, has been rewarded for a consistent season at the Prostar by being named in the Canadian squad for a training camp in South America.
Having represented his country at the under-20 World Cup in Argentina earlier in his career, Vancouver-born Dunfield now hopes to win his first senior cap against either Maradona’s star-studded Argentina in Buenos Aires on May 24 or Venezuela in Merida five days later. “It would be awesome just to pull on a Canadian shirt and hear the national anthem,” said Dunfield.
“I got a call from the team manager telling me they had a training camp in Venezuela and would I like to be part of it. I said I would be honoured to be there.
“I don’t know yet whether I’m going to be part of the Argentina game or just the Venezuela one, but it’s Argentina’s last game before they go to the World Cup so it will be very exciting. This is something I’ve always hoped for and coming to Shrewsbury has probably enhanced my reputation back home and I’m just very grateful.”
Meanwhile, speculation continues to grow that Turner could be in line for a return to Shrewsbury some 26 years after leaving to become Aston Villa boss.
Currently chairman at Hereford, he ended the season back in charge of team affairs at the Bulls after initially taking a back seat last summer to concentrate on a director of football role.
But leading Hereford to safety has whetted his appetite for management once again and, while it’s well known that Turner is trying to sell his shares at Edgar Street, the 62-year-old has now indicated he’s ready for a new managerial challenge.
“I’ve enjoyed the last six weeks again as manager,” said Turner, who led Hereford to victory in seven of their last 10 games. “I think combining the two jobs has been a little bit too much but I have enjoyed getting involved with players again, the banter and laughter among the players and the hard work as well.
“I’ve got to look and think maybe management is my forte. I’ve enjoyed it. Maybe it was partly because of the rest, stepping down at the end of last season and then picking up the pieces towards the end of this season.”
The Town board insist they are in no rush to appoint Paul Simpson’s successor after receiving more than 40 applications.
Town’s out of contract players, among them Graham Coughlan, Paul Murray, Kevin McIntyre, Dave Hibbert, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Benjamin van den Broek and Jake Simpson, should find out in the next few days whether the club plan to offer them new deals. Former boss Simpson, meanwhile, is second favourite to be appointed Oldham boss.
Town’s staff team featuring ex-players Dave Hughes, Pete Wilding, Brian Williams and Andrew Tretton take on the away supporters’ side in the annual challenge match at the Prostar tomorrow (Friday, 7pm). Admission is free.
By Stuart Dunn
