O'Neill laments Laursen absence

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Laursen is expected to finally announce he will be quitting the game during the next few days after the latest in a long line of knee setbacks.

The 31-year-old has been sidelined since early January when he appeared in the 2-1 home success over West Brom and O'Neill admitted: "We have missed Martin greatly. We have won matches without him this season but his overall contribution and absence has been a big loss."

He added: "We have conceded 26 goals in 12 games but had only conceded three in the previous eight games when Martin hadn't played.

"But the overall picture is that we have missed him. We have missed his presence, his ability to score some goals for us, and he was as brave as a lion.

"His overall presence is what we have missed. He goes for everything. He has got a big heart.

"The ironic thing is he has had no problems with the other knee which is the one that gave him the problems throughout the last few years.

"He looks after himself brilliantly and, after the West Ham game in December, if you had said he would only play one more league game (against West Brom) I would have been really surprised."

O'Neill confirmed left-back Wilfred Bouma was unlikely to play again this season after having minor keyhole surgery to the ankle which has kept him out of action since July.

He said: "Bouma has been to see a specialist. He had a couple of particles floating around in his ankle. He has got that sorted but will be unlikely to play this season."