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Richard Hinds' new Owls battle
RICHARD Hinds believes his new two-year contract is a deserved reward for his successful fightback last season and that he is now facing up to a fresh battle: To keep his place in the Wednesday side.
The defender is spurred by the challenge ahead after achieving his aim of a new deal to follow his return from serious injury.
"I'm really pleased to sign the new contract," he told The Star.
"It's going to be an exciting time here, though there's no beating about the bush - we have a good defence and it's going to be tough to get a place.
"But I'm excited about the challenge. It's the club I've always supported, and it would have been hard to leave."
The signing of Darren Purse has increased the competition for places, with Hinds, Richard Wood and Mark Beevers already having been among the contenders for centre-back slots.
But Hinds did win back his spot last season after being out for five months with a leg fracture and ankle damage suffered in the second game of the campaign.
"Early last season you'd have said my future looked uncertain. I worked hard to get back," he says. "I was reasonably pleased with my form towards the end of the season. I think I have earned the right to have that contract. Hopefully I can go on from here and have a good year."
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Yesterday's return to training for the Owls meant a reunion for Hinds and trialist Ryan France. They were both in the Hull squads that won consecutive promotions to what are now League One and the Championship.
"Ryan has been very successful in his time at Hull," said Hinds. "He had those two promotions, along with me, and then they got promoted to the Premier League. He's got experience and ability."
France is known as a winger, though he has also played in midfield and at right-back.
Added Hinds: "He's got experience. He's a different type of player compared to Jermaine Johnson, who's very quick and runs past people. Ryan is a passer. He has good ability on the ball and he's good in the air.
"He played at right-back when we were short but he's not a defender as such. He likes to get forward."
Johnson is away with Jamaica but an injury-free squad including new boys Purse and Tommy Millers got back to work at Middlewood.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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