KRC Genk are still a team under construction, but new coach Thorsten Fink already seems to have a solution for a crucial position. Goalkeeper Mike Penders is easily able to absorb the injury of Hendrik van Crombrugge.
Van Crombrugge suffered a muscle injury last week and his start to the competition is in jeopardy. A very bad moment for the experienced goalkeeper, because after the departure of Martin Vandevoordt he would have been the first choice goalkeeper anyway.
But in his absence, youngster Mike Penders seems to have proved himself. Against Feyenoord he was the best Genke on the pitch with some smart and decisive saves. He single-handedly prevented the score from increasing to more than 3-1.
So Penders will start the season against Standard. Fink added some doubt: “We’ll see who will be the first goalkeeper to start the season.” HBvL“We will have to wait and see how Hendrick’s injury develops and then we will make a decision,” he added.
“But you are right when you say that Mike played well today. I am very satisfied with his performance, he is an absolutely fantastic talent. And as everyone knows by now, I also love working with young players.
“So I’m definitely not afraid to start competing with Mike in goal. But as I said: we’ll wait and see how bad Hendrik’s injury is and in the end they’ll have to decide in training who will be the first-choice goalkeeper.”
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