EUROPEAN UNDER-21 CHAMPIONSHIP:WHEN TERRY Dixon was drafted into Steve Staunton's Republic of Ireland senior squad in May 2006 he looked very much the 16-year-old schoolboy he was at the time. While much has changed in the four years since, with Dixon looking every inch the Wayne Rooney-style powerful front-man he promised to be as a teenager, the young Londoner has played very little football since.
A dreadful knee injury suffered in September 2007 appeared to spell the end of the precocious talent’s career and he had his contract paid up by Tottenham.
West Ham took a punt on helping Dixon work his way back into the game and the striker made another step forward when he trained with the Republic of Ireland under-21 squad in Malahide yesterday. His last cap at this level was in a Uefa qualifier against Belgium in Galway in 2006.
“I was surprised when I heard I got the call. I found out from a radio station. I couldn’t believe it. I thought they were taking the p***,” admitted Dixon. “I’ve played eight games for West Ham reserves and scored three goals.
“I’m delighted myself. It’s been long and frustrating but hopefully I’m back for good. I feel confident but it’s about match fitness now. That’s going to come.”
Dixon, now 20, is likely to feature at some point for Don Givens’s Ireland under-21 side in their Uefa Championships qualifier against Armenia in Tallaght tomorrow.
While he is still awaiting his first team debut at Upton Park – a loan move to MLS side Colorado Rapids is on the cards – he has enough belief in his own ability to believe he can figure for the club sooner rather than later. Indeed, but for a couple of twisted ankles on muddy training pitches and the youngster may have already made the breakthrough for Gianfranco Zola’s side.
“It was frustrating because when they had a lot of strikers out, I was injured too and now they’ve brought in some more strikers. But I think if you’re good enough, you’re good enough and you’ll come through anyway,” he said.
Dixon would dearly love to repay those at West Ham who believed in his ability to work his way back to fitness after Tottenham confined him to football’s scrap heap two years ago.
“The physios and medical staff at West Ham have saved me. My knee only swells up now when I go on a flight. I ice it every day after training and it’s fine.
“I’ve spoken to Zola a few times but without match fitness I can’t show what I’m about. It’s just glimpses at the moment. The manager has been encouraging but I’ve got to do it myself.”
