Campbell can replace Earnshaw

Last updated : 19 April 2004 By Michael Morris
The Sunday papers were again full of rumours, claims and counterclaims that Earnie is leaving this summer.

Charlton and Fulham are still the strongest linked clubs with one story saying that at £5m he's available and the club won't stop him from going.

In Scotland they are suggesting he's a replacement at Celtic for Henrik Larsson.

So cometh the hour cometh the man.

Andy Campbell made his most dynamic entrance into the City team since his play off final winning goal last May.

Witin 2 mins of being on the pitch on Saturday Campbell won City a penalty and then he finished off a deadly counter attack with one of the most well executed goals this season at Ninian Park.

"I've shown people that I'm still here and that I want to play for this club," Campbell told the Western Mail.

"If Earnie does go during the summer, then I want to show everyone that I can come into the side and score goals like he does.

"It's been a frustrating time for me over the last two seasons, but I have no regrets about coming to Cardiff.

"Had I stayed at Middlesbrough I would probably be further down the pecking order or even now be at a club at a lower level than Cardiff."

"I do knock on the gaffer's door to have a moan about not playing. That's a regular occurrence, but you've got to do that otherwise the manager will think you're happy just to sit on the bench - and I'm not."

Lennie Lawrence was happy for Campbell, who has started just 5 games this season scoring twice. One against Orient in the Carling Cup and the goal against Burnley on Saturday. Campbell has come on as a sub 21 times.

"I'm well pleased for Andy," said Lawrence,

"And you could see by the players' reaction that they were also pleased for him.

"As I've always said, he's a good player. You saw in the 15 minutes that he was on the pitch what he is capable of. The boy can play. It wasn't dropping for Earnie, so I gave Andy a chance and that was the best he has played in ages."