Retired today at 26 through injury. IMHO, a player that could have made a big impact at the World Cup next year. Big, strong, quality finisher but with a touch of class as well, think he would've been a long-term partner for Rooney up front. Have followed his progress since he was at Crewe and from the age of 18/19 it always looked like he had the ability to play the "Big Man" role for England. He was a far superior player to Heskey.

Always sad to see any sportsman retire early through injury but especially one so talented. Just read him being described on another forum as "A poor man's Kevin Davies" Hopefully, he can turn his talents to coaching or something else in the game.

On a side note.... with it being SWP's challenge that (allegedly) ended his career, will that be SWP's lasting legacy as a footballer? (let's be honest he is just a porr man's Aaron Lennon!)

So you blame SWP and NOT the fact that he has been injury prone for the last 4 years at least.

Yep, always nice to have a sly pop at our (noisy) neighbours from across town. Always guaranteed to get a bite. Looking at his stats though he was relatively injury free until the broken ankle sustained on England duty in 2006. He was playing 30-40 games a season at Crewe as a teenager and then played the best part of 50 games in 12 months at Norwich. SWP was obviously getting his revenge for the goals that dumped your lot out of the FA Cup in 2006 .

but everybody blamed Roy Keane for Alf inga haland's injury which lead to his retirement, Curly Watts Keegan even wanted to sue RK for citys performances, yet it was the other knee and not the one targeted by RK. Plus RK served a second ban for said tackle after mentioning it in his book.

He was a player that i always liked to watch. i wish him all the best for the future. And no i am not biting regarding your last comment.