Football: Yaxley plans hit by illness and injuries
A SWINE flu scare and a massive injury list has led Yaxley boss Gary Clipston to describe the past few weeks as his 'worst pre-season ever'.
A SWINE flu scare and a massive injury list has led Yaxley boss Gary Clipston to describe the past few weeks as his 'worst pre-season ever'.The Cuckoos were forced to abandon this week's planned friendly with Wisbech because they were unable to field a team and things aren't looking much better for tomorrow's clash at Peterborough Northern Star (kick-off 3pm).
New signing Alex Harrison from Bourne is out with a twisted knee while the midfield trio of Teddy Rimmell, Ricky Hailstone and Richard Challinor all look doubtful.
Striker Sam Makansi is also out of the frame after coming down with swine flu-like symptoms which has all left the manager feeling decidedly green around the gills himself - in more ways than one.
Clipston said: "It has been a nightmare few weeks for us and without doubt has been our worst pre-season ever. But what can you do?
"We are trying to get ready for the season but everything seems to be conspiring against us with all these injuries. As well as Alex, Teddy, Ricky, Richard and Sam, I am also without Jonathan Grigas, who is waiting for his overdue girlfriend to give birth.
"I am also without Daniel Drane and Michael Calvin, who are on holiday, and on top of that I thought I had swine flu as well!
"Luckily we have been cleared of it but it does all mean my plans have been messed up a treat.
"All I can hope for from our game against Northern Star is that I can get a team out and we get 90 minutes without injuries.
"We were due to play Bedford next Tuesday but I may have to think about that so we can just get the lads in training for a couple of days together before the start of the season."
But despite his problems which came on top of the loss of Dan Jacobs, Liam Harold and Andy Lodge to rivals Deeping, Clipston is trying to remain upbeat about next season's prospects.
"We have lost players but I think I have brought in good quality replacements.
"I have added Alex and Aaron Rideout from Bourne as well as Chris Tolton and Jamie Darlow from Ramsey and I expect all of them to do well.
"It is going to be a tough season but I am confident that we can make the top half of the table if everything goes to plan."
For Northern Star, however, there are no such problems with manager Chris Plummer having a strong squad to draw upon following the recent arrivals of Phil Anderson, Peter Brothwell, Mark Baines and Ashley Favell.
Also in action this weekend are Blackstones, who entertain Stamford, Deeping play host to Spalding at Outgang Road while Wisbech travel to Skegness. All are 3pm kick-offs.
Email to a friend
Print this page - Popular
- Most comments
- Most shared
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 29 July 2010
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 16 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: West
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.