Captain hails returning hero Sodje (From The Bolton News)

Captain hails returning hero Sodje

4:00pm Thursday 21st March 2013 in Bury FC By Craig Nelson

BURY captain Steven Schumacher believes the script has been written for Efe Sodje to steer the Shakers to safety in what could be his last games for the club.

The veteran defender was thrust into the starting line-up for Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over Stevenage just a day after returning to Gigg Lane from a month’s loan at Blue Square Bet Premier side Barrow.

Despite carrying a knee injury, Schumacher said he put in a “typical Sodje display” before limping off to rapturous applause with 13 minutes to play.

“You know what you get with Sodj and tonight was a typical game for Efe,” said Schumacher.

“The first minute he elbowed someone in the back of the head.

“The next minute he smashes someone in a tackle, which was an unbelievable tackle.

“And then the minute after that he swings one.”

At the age of 40 – some say he may be even older than that – the former Nigerian international was playing on borrowed time even before the arrival of manager Kevin Blackwell.

The Bury boss did his best to find Sodje a new home in the last transfer window before shipping him out on loan, but, after six defeats in seven matches, he finally bowed to clamour from fans to reinstate their defensive hero.

And Sodje repaid the faith of the Bury supporters with only their sixth clean sheet of the season.

“He’s a leader, he’s an experienced player and he’s been through it,” said Schumacher.

“He won’t want to go down without a fight. He will be up for it.

“And the more players we have with his kind of experience, the better.”