Full-back hoping to get on the scoresheet this weekend...
Right-back Jason Demetriou scored his first international goal earlier this month – and now he wants to open his account for the Saddlers.The 27-year-old netted Cyprus’ winner in a 2-1 victory over Israel in Euro 2016 qualifying, but is still awaiting his first Walsall goal.
And Demetriou is eager to break his duck against Colchester this weekend after receiving some good-natured stick from his manager.
“It was brilliant to score for Cyprus and I’m looking forward to doing it for Walsall,” said Demetriou, who signed from Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the summer.
“I’ve come close quite a few times but I’ve not succeeded yet.
“I had a little bit of banter from the boys because I’d had several caps for Cyprus and not scored – and they were telling me that I was never going to score.
"It was nice to get the winner but now these boys are onto me about not scoring here, especially the gaffer (Dean Smith), who goes on about it every day!
“I’ve told him it’s coming!
“It’d be great to score this weekend against my mate Jamie Jones (Colchester’s goalkeeper).
“He’s a good lad and we spent a few years together at Leyton Orient.
“We’re good friends and hopefully I’ll score my first goal past him.”
Demetriou’s first goal for Cyprus sparked wild celebrations on the pitch – and was also greeted with euphoria in Wales after it secured their qualification to next summer’s finals.
“I received a few messages from some Wales fans saying thanks for the goal,” Demetriou admitted.
“They deserved to go through.
“We knew we had to win so we threw everything at it and it was brilliant to score our winner. There were about 30 people on the pitch celebrating.
“We were just gutted that we didn’t win our last game as we were 2-1 up (against Bosnia-Herzegovina) and I thought we had a chance of qualifying.
“It wasn’t to be but it was a good experience and hopefully we will have some success in the future.”