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Double blow and boost for Reds ahead of hosting Whitby

FC United will be without Martin Parker for six weeks following confirmation he has a broken foot whilst young winger Chris Ovington has joined Buxton.

However, there was also good news this week with long-term absentee Steve Torpey returning to full training with the rest of the squad along with the recently bereaved Richard Battersby.

Assistant manager Roy Soule said: "Chris is a young lad who needs to play football rather than sit on the bench. He’s shown a lot of loyalty to us and done well when called upon. We wish him all the best.

"We’ve got a quite a bit of quality on the righthand side but we’re always looking to bring in other players if they are right for the club. Having Torpey back is a boost, it’s been tough for him to be out so long, hopefully he won’t suffer any adverse effects (from training)."

With Parker injured, club captain David Chadwick is set to partner Scott McManus at the heart of United’s defence before the former Crewe defender serves a two game ban, which starts on 22nd February.

Another player due to be serving a ban is Matthew Tierney who will miss three games from the 19th February after being sent off on his full debut at Hucknall last weekend. Soule said: "He’ll learn from that. We’ve told him to understand that sometimes you have to play with intelligence rather than just courage and conviction."

The only other new issue for United is that Nicky Platt will face a fitness test after picking up a knock during the week.

FC United versus Whitby Town is this Saturday at Gigg Lane. It’s just as football should be - affordable pay on the gate prices with a 3 O’clock kick-off.


First Posted ~ 20:40 Fri 11 Feb 2011
News ID ~ 3411
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021