Gianfranco Zola has revealed that Freddie Sears could spend next season out on loan.
Sears, who has failed to score a single goal in his 22 appearances this season - or since his debut goal against Blackburn 14 months ago - has been used sparingly this term by Zola, and has more often than not been cast behind Diego Tristan and David Di Michele in the first team pecking order.Many fans have commented on Sears' failure to push on since that electric debut performance in March 2008 and it has often been suggested that the youngster would benefit from a spell on loan in one of the lower divisions - much like the then 18-year-old Jermain Defoe did back in October 2000.
It is a sentiment with which Zola appears to agree; talking to whufc.com today, he said:
"I think that the right thing for him will be to go on loan. He has worked hard here but has not been playing enough; sometimes ten minutes, sometimes a full game.
"He has improved as a player but he needs to play regularly. Unfortunately here it is difficult for him. Next season he will have the possibility of going on loan and to prove himself."
Sears came into the first team reckoning having scored virtually a goal per game at reserve and youth level - much like Carlton Cole did when breaking through at Chelsea. Like Cole, Sears' career appears to have hit a temporary stumbling block - but one from which he will be hoping to recover soon.
Freddie Sears: facts and figures
Appearances 2007/08: 7
Goals: 1
Yellow cards: 1
Appearances 2008/09: 22
Goals: 0
Yellow cards: 0
Number of starts: 8 (5 League; 1 FA Cup; 2 Carling Cup)
Number of sub appearances: 21 (19 League, 2 FA Cup)
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