Nurse called out for defence emergency

10:53am Thursday 2nd October 2008

JON NURSE is more accustomed to scoring goals than preventing them.

But the 27-year-old Dagenham forward has been on the defensive after filling in at right-back against Chesterfield, Wycombe and now Rotherham United - despite never playing in that position before.

Daggers boss John Still had a defensive dilemma on his hands with both Danny Foster, John Boardman, Shane Huke and Mark Arber unavailable for selection.

But that quartet may have an unlikely opponent when they return from injury because Nurse has made the transition look easy.

Indeed he has done so well that Still has mused that he could hand Nurse a permanent defensive role.

The player himself admits that he is relishing life in his new role, and enjoys picking up some of the tricks of the trade.

“It’s been a bit weird because I’m an attacking player and the whole game’s different,” he said.

“Mags (Okuonghae) talked to me throughout the whole game against Rotherham.

“I’ve learned what defenders do and how they cheat. I’ve seen how they nick yards and things like that.

“The positional sense is key. If they get their position right it is very hard for the forwards to do anything.

"If they are tight as a unit and you’re going one way then you’re only playing to their strengths. It’s all quite interesting.”

Nurse’s versatility is there for all to see, but he also boasts another honour - that of being the only Dagenham player ever to be called up for his country.

Last year the ex-Sutton United and Stevenage man plied his wits against the relative giants of Mexico and United States in World Cup qualifiers while playing for the country of his birth, Barbados.

And the diminutive striker admits that the international experience has stood him in good stead for life with the Daggers.

“It’s a total change from when I’m over here. You meet up with players that are playing at different levels and it’s a good test for yourself,” he said.

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