Make or break for Partridge

Last updated : 25 June 2003 By Kevin Smith
The Irish winger spent six months on loan with first division Coventry City last season but is hopeful he can force his way into Liverpool's first team squad when the new season kicks off in August.

"I would love to break into the first team squad next season and start playing some games for Liverpool," he said. "I know I seem to say this every summer, but this year is really make-or-break for me.

"I have been at Liverpool for a long time now. I'm 23 later this year and at this stage of my career I really need to be playing first team football, especially if I'm going to get a chance to play for Ireland again."

"I had a good chat with Phil Thompson a few weeks ago and he gave me a lot of encouragement. He reassured me that I had a future at the club. He said that if I was fully fit and did well in pre-season, I would be in with a shout.

"He also said that there had been a bit of interest in me from other clubs since the end of the season as people had taken note of what I had done on loan at Coventry."