Venables will check on Bridges

Last updated : 20 September 2002 By Elland Roader
Bridges made a 25 minute appearance
Bridges has been sidelined with knee and Achilles injuries since the Champions League clash with Besiktas in October 2000 and Venables will now check to see there is any reaction to his 25 minute spell.

Within fifteen minutes of coming on to rapturous applause from the Elland Road crowd the striker cut the ball back from the byeline for Alan Smith to score the only goal of the game.

The Leeds boss said: "I thought Michael did very well. It has been a hard story for him. He must have had times when he was very low, very low. But in the two years he has been out he has worked extremely hard.

"He has been frustrated because he wanted to get back into the team, but this was a big moment for him tonight and I thought he not only played well but contributed well to the goal.

"I am very happy for him."

If there is no reaction to this short spell Bridges could now be in contention for a place in the squad for the Premiership game against Blackburn on Sunday.

To view Michael Bridges stats/appearances pages CLICK HERE