Ex-Forest, Aston Villa striker Harewood loving it in China

Former Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest striker Marlon Harewood is enjoying his time with Guangzhou R&F in China.

Harwood's goals have Guangzhou R&F on the brink of promotion back into the Chinese Super League.

Harewood, 32, has acclimatised remarkably well to a totally different footballing culture. But he has been more conservative off the pitch.

“Their local food is really different from what we would think is normal Chinese food," he explained. “You are talking, like, snake and dog - the majority of the restaurants have that.

“I have seen it on the menu but haven’t had it yet - maybe if we get promoted.”

He also told the Sunday Mirror: “I have come to do a job - to get this team promoted - and we have been unbeaten since I got here.

“We work really hard at it. We train twice a day - at 10am and then go back out about 3pm after lunch.

“The main difference is the heat. The temperature is 30 degrees every day, so I have lost weight - but I feel good. You have to be very fit to last in this heat as it is intense.

“We have a training pitch next to where we stay. We live in a complex and it is like having an away game every day. But the club have been very good at looking after me, and I am not high maintenance.”