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Archived News from December 2004

EVENING POST PREVIEW
24th December 2004 16:59


CHRISTMAS WISH FOR LEFT BACK
Evening Post, 24 December 2004
With a host of defenders still ruled out, Stags caretaker boss Carlton Palmer is hoping to secure a loan deal for a left back in time for Sunday's game.

Rhys Day, Dave Artell, Jason Talbot, Adam Eaton and Scott McNiven are all still missing - and captain Alex John-Baptiste is one booking away from a ban.

Apart from a new full back, Palmer says he is not planning to bring any more players in.

But Paul Warne's loan is being extended by another month, with a view to a permanent move.

Palmer added that he is likely to name the same 11 players who started at Shrewsbury.

"We're trying to get a left back in as soon as possible," he said.

"His manager says he can come and that will be it after that. I'm happy with the squad of players we've got.

"They're working really hard. The only problem now is that players need a game.

"I'm trying to get a game arranged for the date we were supposed to play Swansea."

New signing Joel Kitamirike is one of several players Palmer is keen to get match fit.

"He's fit enough for selection but we're not in a reserve league and I couldn't have even named a reserve team a couple of weeks ago. But all the players need games."

Right-back Jason Talbot will miss the Christmas and new year fixtures.

Palmer said: "It's ten days before he can start jogging again."

As for his other injured players, Palmer hopes to welcome several back before the end of January - including Eaton, who has been out of action since August.

"The swelling on Dave Artell's Achilles has been getting worse so he needs an operation to have it trimmed back.

"He is booked in for the operation on January 6, but we are trying to get him in before that.

"He should be back before the end of January."

Stags: Pilkington, Buxton, John-Baptiste, Dimech, Neil, Curtis, Murray, Corden, Warne, Barker, Asamoah, White, McLachlan, Brown, Kitamirike, Maxwell.

Cambridge: Price, Goodhind, Duncan, Somner, Bimson, Heath, Guttridge, Walker, Hodgson, Konte, Easter, Turner, Quinton, Marshall, Gleeson, Tudor.

CURLE IN FRAME AS U'S BOSS
Evening Post, 24 December 2004
Keith Curle is understood to have applied for the managerial vacancy at Cambridge United.

He won't be making a quick return to Field Mill on Boxing Day to face the club which sacked him but he says he will spill the beans on the events which led to his sacking.

Curle is taking advice from the League Managers Association and is considering whether to appeal against his sacking.

He said: "As and when the time is right it will be made clear what happened."

Cambridge have drawn up a shortlist of four potential managers and Curle is thought to be on the list.

The club were conducting interviews yesterday - and John Hollins, Steve McMahon and Steve Wignall are also believed to be in the frame.

The League Two strugglers are not expected to make a decision on a new manager until the new year.

But postings on United supporter websites suggest that Curle, who refused to confirm that he has applied for the post, is the man the fans want.

Caretaker boss Ricky Duncan is not on the shortlist and his assistant Rob Newman is not believed to be in the running.

But Duncan could come into contention if results go his way over the next few games. "I don't need to put my name in the hat because I'm just doing my job," he said.

"Even if we win the next three or four games, if they think they need to bring a new manager in, that's fine."

Chairman Gary Harwood says United had received 36 applications for the job but says the door is still open to prospective bosses. "Some more applications might come in the next few days and we might be pleasantly surprised," he said.

"If a startling application comes in before the appointment is made, we would add that one to the shortlist.

"The aim is to shorten the list to two and then there will be a second interview with those candidates and the whole board will be in that final decision, which will probably be made in the new year."


As you were for Stags
Teamtalk.com

Mansfield caretaker boss Carlton Palmer will chose from the same squad that beat Shrewsbury when his side play host to Cambridge United.

On-loan Bolton defender Jason Talbot is still missing with an infected toe while a bout of flu keeps David Artell out.

Otherwise, Palmer has no new worries as he looks to extend the Stags unbeaten run to three games against the League Two strugglers.

 

Latest | December 2004