Tests pushed back, but Rowdies’ Christie says he feels fine

Posted Jul 7, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jul 7, 2010 at 12:54 PM

FC Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Jeremy Christie’s scan has been moved back to Thursday, leaving the New Zealander as a spectator for Wednesday’s practice as the side prepared to face NSC Minnesota.

Christie, though, said he felt much better than he did on Sunday, but was going to be patient and wait for the all-clear from the doctor before her returned to the field.

“I feel fine now,” Christie said. “It’s one of those things, I guess you’d better be safe than sorry and I’ll wait until I get the all clear and then I’ll be back into it, but like I said I feel fine.”

Fine enough that if it was up to him, he would have been out on the practice field with his teammates.

“If it was up to me, 100 percent,” Christie said. “I would have trained today, but it’s one of those things where you’ve got to take the advice of the experts.”

HELP ON THE WAY?: With the injuries that have hit the Rowdies in recent weeks, the club is trying to make moves to bolster the squad, with some loan deals being worked on according to Coach Paul Dalglish.

“It’s important that we try and bring a few people in,” Dalglish said. “They help us by coming in short-term to try and help us while we’ve got injuries, and we help them by giving them games. Hopefully we can look at a couple of loans to come in and help us.”

MAKING HIS MOVE: The youngest outfield player on the Rowdies’ roster, Mozzi Gyorio certainly didn’t appear to be making only his second league start with the way he played against Miami on Sunday evening.

Having known him when he was a member of the Houston Dynamo’s Academy, Dalglish knew the 20-year-old would need work when he joined the Rowdies. On Sunday, Dalglish said he saw the work Gyorio has put in come to fruition with the way he closed down opponents and won possession in addition to his distribution of the ball.

“He was winning headers and going in for headers, and for me he’s becoming a pro and a more well-rounded player,” Dalglish said. “If he can keep that going then his future’s very bright.”

Gyorio can usually be found working out after practice to keep his fitness and ball-skills sharp and that could be a reason why he slipped into the line-up so seamlessly on Sunday. If his form continues, it could mean an opportunity for the young Canadian to earn a regular spot in the starting line-up.

“Everybody wants to play and I’m excited to be part of the team,” Gyorio said. “I’ve always been ready, that’s why I’ve always been staying after training trying to be ready, and now I’m getting called upon I’m going to do my best to help the team win.”