Jones won’t be returning to South Africa

12:07pm Friday 11th June 2010

* By Paul Fraser »


MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Brad Jones has confirmed that he will not be returning to South Africa to be part of Australia’s World Cup squad.

Aussies boss Pim Verbeek gave Jones the time he needed after learning his fouryear- old son, Luca, had been diagnosed with leukaemia last Friday.

The 28-year-old was not expected to return for World Cup duty and Jones was quick to make the decision after seeing his little boy in France.

“The World Cup is irrelevant for me now,” Jones admitted.

“When I walked into the room and Luca smiled when he saw me, that was worth more than anything the World Cup could ever give me.

“The treatment will last for five weeks and I want to be here as much as I can.”

Australia have called up Adelaide United stopper Eugene Galekovic after being given the nod by FIFA to replace him in the squad.

Jones is now in France with his son and estranged wife, Julie, who is currently based in St Tropez and it is uncertain when he will return to Teesside.

Boro are due back for preseason training on June 28 and manager Gordon Strachan is still working on trying to assemble a squad capable of achieving promotion next season.

He is still hopeful of concluding a deal for Stephen McManus from Celtic after the defender had indicated he would be willing to move to the Riverside Stadium on a permanent basis.

But Celtic’s insistence on a £2m-plus fee could harm a potential deal.

■ The venue for Boro’s opening friendly in Germany with Saschsen Leipzig on July 28 has been changed to the Alfred Kunze Sportpark.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/8214688.Jones_won___t_be_returning_to_South_Africa/