FRANK SINCLAIR heads back to his first club tomorrow aiming to produce the kind of performance which will help extend his stay at the place he now calls “home”.
The 36-year-old defender, left, who had eight seasons at Chelsea after coming through their youth system, has revealed he is in talks with Town about a new one-year contract.
Initially signed on loan from Burnley a year ago by Peter Jackson, Sinclair has impressed current boss Andy Ritchie, who gave him a 12-month deal last close-season.
“We’re making progress, and I’d be delighted to stay here,” said Sinclair, who was an FA Cup winner with Chelsea in 1997 and a beaten finalist three seasons earlier.
“It’s a friendly club and a great place to play football, and I’m feeling as fit and hungry for the game as ever.”
Sinclair aims to prove that tomorrow, when he will be back at the Bridge as a player for the first time since going there with Leicester eight years ago.
Town’s last trip there, for a 2-1 third-round defeat, was only two seasons ago.
And Sinclair, a former Jamaican international, believes that will prove a very useful experience.
“I’ll probably be the most nervous player in our dressing room,” he added.
“I don’t want to go back there and embarrass myself.
“I’ve heard the stories about two years ago, when a lot of the lads were more interested in swapping shirts and getting souvenirs.
“But we’ll be more professional this time around. Nicolas Anelka can have my shirt if he’s lucky.”
John Terry is the only player from Sinclair’s time at Chelsea who is still at the club.
But the England ace is unlikely to play because of the foot injury from which he is only just recovering.
Sources in the capital suggest Avram Grant will field a strong side, however, with Frank Lampard a likely starter as he continues his comeback from a thigh injury.
The former West Ham man needs just one more goal to reach 100 for Chelsea.
Portuguese international Ricardo Carvalho is tipped to feature in central defence with Czech ace Petr Cech in goal.
