Gifton off transfer list

Last updated : 22 September 2006 By Tony Scholes
Gifton joined the Clarets on a two year contract in the summer of 2005 but his first season was hardly successful and by the end of it he'd moved to Brighton on loan and was then placed on the list. Several clubs were reported to be interested in signing him, he didn't go on the pre-season trip to Italy as he searched for another club, and it seemed just a matter of time before he did move on to a new club.

He made a couple of substitute appearances in the first team but then it all turned round for him after he was booed onto the pitch when he came on as a substitute as we trailed 2-0 to Colchester United. By the end of the game, despite losing it, he had restored some of his reputation and three days later, coming on as a substitute again, he received rave reports following a hat trick against Barnsley.

Following another good performance against Stoke last week, his first start since last February, he's now very much back in favour and today he has followed Micah Hyde by coming off the list.

Steve Cotterill said: “Since Gifton has come back, he has worked harder than he did last year. That has been a vital ingredient and probably why his performances have been better than last year. I didn't want to have one player on the list, because it is like he's been alienated. We are more than happy that he is staying and we are more than happy with his performances.”

Gifton added: “All the time I've been on the list I have just tried to ignore it as much as possible and concentrate on my football. I came back for pre-season, got my head down and got on with my work. I am delighted to be off the list now and hopefully I can stay in the team for as long as possible and show the gaffer, the supporters and myself that I deserve to be off the list and playing, although I realise it is not just enough to do it for two or three games.”

Gifton is expected to celebrate the news by retaining his place in the side for the visit of Southampton tomorrow.