Canoville to fill Edwards' boots?

Last updated : 28 July 2007 By Gary Moss
The signing of former Boston United man Lee Canoville highlight's Steve Thompson's policy of strength in depth implicitly.

Skipper Mike Edwards faces a lengthy absence after breaking his right leg and and fracturing his ankle in a pre-season friendly last week, but the County cheif has acted quickly bringing in the 26-year-old ahead of the new campaign.

The County boss has already praised his recent asset as an 'ideal replacement' to the injured Edwards.

He can play both at centre-back or right-back with ease and is a fine athlete.

Canoville...A good coup for County
There will not be too players in the division capable of out pacing or outmuscling this strong defender.

Canoville also arrives with a whole welath of Football League pedigree.

He began his career as an apprentice at Arsenal joining Highbury back in 1997.

He unfortunately only made one senior appearance for the Gunners but saw his game come on leaps and bounds so much so he earned a call up to the England Under-16s squad in his first season.

He struggled to force his way into Arsene Wenger's plans and in the end was released in 2001 after a brief spell with Northampton Town.

He went onto trial with Watford with a view to a permanant move.

Failure at Vicarage Road meant he signed for Torquay United making over 100 starts for the Gulls and being a squad member of their old Division Three promotion campaign.

He then went to Boston last season but was loaned to play-off finalists Shrewsbury for the second half of the season.

With the Pilgrims reklegated down to the Conference North, Canoville left the club becoming a free agent for Notts to snap him up as back-up for Edwards.

He is expected to nail down a first team slot immediately at Meadow Lane but could be forced out after the return of Edwards.

This aside, he is another piece in Notts' strong defensive jigsaw.

At 26, Canoville is at his prime and is a good coup for County. He is no Mike Edwards, that's for sure but as replacements go, Thommo has certainly delivered.