October 7 2001

Dean Austin

Dean Austin has had talks with Steve Bruce and has been told that he will get a chance to get back into the side.

Austin has been dropped after a run of poor form and has been replaced by Steve Vickers, who is on loan from Middlesbrough.

He is now determined as ever to work hard and fight for a place in the first team.

He said: "I've had worse knockbacks in my career and Steve Bruce told me I will get chances.

"I haven't been performing to the standards I set myself at the start of the season.

"It's going to be difficult to force my way back in, but I'll work hard and I know my chance will come again."