Diamond illness was genuine and we've had no bids, says boss
BURTON Albion manager Gary Rowett has squashed speculation over Zander Diamond's non-appearance in Burton Albion's FA Cup third-round tie at Leicester City last week.
Diamond also missed the previous game at York City with illness but the fact that he missed an FA Cup match with the transfer window open caused some supporters to put two and two together and reach five.
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Zander Diamond has not been the subject of any bids, say Burton.
Such speculation is nonsense, of course, since Diamond had already played in the first round of the competition, against Altrincham.
"I wish I was in a position to be that strategic!" said Rowett.
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"Zander was genuinely ill last week but he's trained all week and he'll be back in tomorrow."
Other speculation has seen striker Billy Kee linked with Gillingham, a move which seems unlikely, given that Kee turned down a move to Crawley Town last season and moved to Burton in the first place because he was keen to be closer to his family in Leicester.
Rowett says there have been no bids for any of his players so far in the window.
"We've not had any offers but, of course, you expect one or two inquiries," said Rowett.
"To a certain degree, every one of our players is available. We're a League Two club.
"When players play as well as Zander has done, of course there will be some speculation.
"But he signed here because he felt he wanted some real stability.
"He's settled in the area and is really enjoying his football."
The manager had similar to say about Kee, who left Torquay United for Burton two years ago.
"Obviously, we had one or two inquiries and one offer for Billy last season," he said.
"But we've not had any this season.
"I think Billy's really happy at the club.
"He's worked really hard to get back to fitness after his operation and I think he's enjoying it here, too."
Rowett expects to strengthen his own squad further during the window but says this is a spell when many are jostling for position.
"Some clubs will spend silly money but we won't," he said.
"The likes of Bradford or Fleetwood could spend a hundred grand on a striker and I've no problem with that.
"There's no one right or wrong way to do things and our challenge is to strengthen without spending that sort of money.
"I've got one or two offers in who are at the yes or no stage but the reality is that one or two who could really improve the team will possibly get offered a bit more money somewhere else.
"So, we will just have to wait and see and do as well as we can.
"Our games are Saturday to Saturday at the moment, so if they don't come in time for one game, they're not so likely to miss two."
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