Archived News from January 2005
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PREVIEWS, PLUS TWO ON SHORT TERM DEALS
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Collins fails to land winger Rundle Published on 12/01/2005 By Lee Rowcroft http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/sport/viewarticle.aspx?id=169293 FORMER Carlisle United winger Adam Rundle has been reunited with ex-England international Carlton Palmer after agreeing a one-month deal with Coca-Cola League Two side Mansfield. Rundle, who left Brunton Park last August, joined the Stags yesterday but was unable to make his debut in last night's clash against Cambridge as he is still awaiting international clearance. Rundle, 20, played alongside Palmer at Dublin City after being persuaded to make the switch by ex-Blues boss Roddy Collins who was in charge of the Irish team at the time. Collins has since taken over at Shamrock Rovers but Rundle has decided against joining up with him again after turning down a two-year deal. Adam's father John Rundle, who lives in the North East, told News & Star Sport: “Roddy wanted to sign him but he wanted to play in England again. “Bradford, Kidderminster and Oldham have all shown an interest but Adam opted for Mansfield as he knows Carlton Palmer and what he is all about. “Roddy is gutted but this is a great opportunity for Adam. Mansfield are not too far off the play-off places so he is determined to impress. “He has trained with the first-team squad on a couple of occasions already and he is looking forward to it.” Rundle, who still has a house in Carlisle, made 25 league starts for United during his 20 months with the club. He is now expected to go into Mansfield's squad for the game at Rochdale this weekend. ------------ Stags take on bottom side CHAD website, 11 January 2005 MANSFIELD Town take on bottom club Cambridge United at Field Mill tonight (7.45pm) without suspended Derek Asamoah and on-loan Paul Warne, who has been recalled by Rotherham United. However, Warne is off ill with flu anyway and would not have played if available to Carlton Palmer, who still hopes to sign him. But striker Richie Barker will battle on, despite a broken nose in Stags' last game eight days ago when they knocked leaders Scunthorpe United off top spot 1-0. "I believe this is our biggest game of the season so far tonight," said Palmer. "If we can win it we will be just two points off the play-off spots which is right where we want to be. "But I have had Cambridge watched and I am told they are under-achievers who, if they could get a couple more players in, are good enough to stay in this division. "I will be reiterating that to the players. Just because they are bottom of the table doesn't mean it is a foregone conclusion we will win the game. "They are fighting for their lives, but so are we. As at Shrewsbury, if we just make sure we don't catch a cold and play like we have been doing then we can win the game. "I love night matches as well and I think most players do "No game last weekend gave us a few extra days to get Colin Larkin fitter and a few other players more time to recover from knocks. "Fraser McLachlan and Alex Neil both picked up knocks against Scunthorpe and Richie Barker broke his nose." Cambridge enjoyed a well-earned 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers on Saturday, coming from behind through a Shane Tudor goal and also had three penalty appeals turned down. It was their first goal in three games. But Steve Thompson's men are still without a win in eight games, losing six of them. In fact they have won only three of their 26 games this season so far French defender Igor Latte-Yedu is added to the U's squad tonight but Adam Tann, Warren Goodhind and Luke Guttridge are injured and Daniel Chillingworth will miss out due to a family illness. Stags give pair chance to impress CHAD website, 11 January 2005 CARLTON Palmer is offering New Zealand international Shane Smeltz and promising left winger Adam Rundle the chance to join Mansfield Town. Caretaker-manager Palmer, keen to add to his small squad, has given the two free agents a one-month deal each in which to impress. International clearance should come through in time for them to be on the bench for Saturday's trip to Rochdale (3pm). Striker Smeltz (23) has played extensively in Australia and New Zealand for clubs like Gold Coast City, Brisbane Strikers, Napier City and Adelaide City and has played and scored goals for his country in World Cup and Olympic qualifiers. Durham-born Rundle (20) has been at Carlisle United and Darlington before moving across to Ireland to play for Dublin City. "These two have a bit of quality about them," said Palmer. "Shane has just spent two weks with West Ham and Alan Pardew told me that he has too many strikers right now but feels Shane would do it easily at this level. "I know Adam from when I played with him at Dublin City. He is raw but has great pace and a great left foot." Warne future on hold CHAD website, 10 January 2005 The future of Paul Warne as a Mansfield Town player remains up in the air this week after his surprise recall by Rotherham United on Friday which brought his second month on loan to a premature halt. Injuries and illness forced Ronnie Moore to ask Warne to return to Millmoor in the same week Warne was offered an 18-month deal to sign for Mansfield on a full time basis. He was on the bench for Rotherham's 3-0 home FA Cup defeat by Yeovil Town but Palmer said: "There is no way Paul could have been involved with the Cambridge game here tomorrow as he has been taken ill now. "Paul is laid up in bed with flu. I will need to speak to Ronnie Moore later in the week to see what is happening. "I have no idea if Paul is back in their long-term plans but Ronnie said he had just 12 players training on Monday and I have to believe that." RICHIE'S UP FOR BIG ONE Evening Post, 11 January 2005 MARK ROACH Richie Barker looks set to start against Cambridge, despite breaking his nose in the 1-0 win against Scunthorpe. With Derek Asamoah serving the second game of a two-match ban, Barker is poised to resume his strike partnership with fit-again Colin Larkin. "This is our biggest game of the season so far," said Stags caretaker manager Carlton Palmer. "They are fighting for their lives, and so are we. "Cambridge are under-achievers and they are good enough to stay in this division - especially if they can get a couple more players in. "They are bottom of the table but that doesn't mean it is a foregone conclusion we will win the game. If we play like we have been doing, we can beat them." A win would take Stags back into the top ten in League Two. Tom Curtis, Rhys Day, Dave Artell and Jason Talbot are still out of action, while Paul Warne is unavailable after being recalled by Rotherham. But Palmer is still hopeful he will be able to sign the player. Midfielder Fraser McLachlan makes his first appearance since signing on a permanent deal, following his loan spell. Recent signing Simon Brown looks certain to start on the right side of midfield, or up front if Palmer decides not to pair Barker and Larkin. Palmer said the nine-day break following the victory against Scunthorpe has helped the recovery of Barker and McLachlan and Alex Neil, who also picked up knocks. "The extra time has given us a few extra days to get Colin Larkin fitter and a few other players more time to recover from knocks." Meanwhile, Palmer is believed to have agreed an 18-month deal with Blackpool defender Rob Clare. The 21-year-old should complete the move in time to face Southend on January 22. Clare made more than 100 appearances for Stockport and played for the club under Palmer. He was the subject of interest from Tottenham during Palmer's reign, with Spurs believed to have been willing to pay £500,000 for the former England Under-19 international. Palmer is also thought to be taking a look at winger Adam Rundle. The 20-year-old former Darlington and Carlisle man has played in Ireland with Cork City, and has been training at Motherwell. Mansfield: Pilkington, Buxton, Neil, Dimech, John-Baptiste, McLachlan, Murray, Corden, Brown, Barker, Larkin, White, Lloyd, Maxwell, Kitamirike, McIntosh HUNT FOR FIRST WIN Evening Post, 11 January 2005 Steve Thompson is still searching for his first win in charge of Cambridge United. Tonight's game is his fourth in charge. He got his first point at Bristol Rovers on Saturday but desperately needs victories, with his side three points adrift at the bottom of League Two. The former Notts County assistant last week brought in Simon Rea on a month's loan from Peterborough, making his debut against Rovers alongside Andy Duncan in central defence. And goal-scoring midfielder Stuart Wardley has joined on non-contract terms. Warren Goodhind (shin), Adam Tann (groin) and Luke Guttridge (back) are all struggling. Thompson said: "We have thrown the gauntlet down to the players and some people pick it up and some people walk away." CAMBRIDGE (from): Ruddy, Gleeson, Duncan, Rea, Bimson, Tudor, Walker, Quinton, Somner, Webb, Turner, Wardley, Marshall, Johnson, Easter, El Kholti. |
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