Archived News from March 2003
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DAY WAITS ON SECOND HEARING
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RHYS WAITS ON SECOND HEARING
Evening Post, 12 March 2003 Mansfield Town defender Rhys Day is set to find out tomorrow whether he will have to sit out the next three crucial matches of the Stags' relegation battle. The 20-year-old will be the subject of a second hearing into his sending-off against Oldham at a tribunal in Birmingham. Any ban could start with Saturday's home clash with Swindon. I understand manager Keith Curle is already making enquiries about one central defender, with considerable First Division experience. Curle, who will miss the next three games after he was also sent off against Oldham, said the club would be represented at the hearing by himself or chairman Keith Haslam. He was undecided as to whether Day would attend at the Birlington Hotel. It will be the second time Day's case has been discussed. An FA panel earlier agreed that his foul on Latics' midfielder Tony Carss did not deserve a straight red card. But they will sit again after referee Paul Taylor refused to reverse his decision. Even if Day's offence is downgraded to a caution, he will still serve a one-match ban as he had been booked earlier in the match. Curle said he was frustrated that the whole process was taking so long. "It would have been nice to have sorted this all out by now but we will now have to wait until tomorrow," he said. He added that nothing had been decided about new players yet but he was looking at the centre of his defence. If Day joins Curle among the suspensions, that will leave just Matthew Gadsby among the professional squad to fill the void. Otherwise, Curle may have to look to the likes of trainee Alex John-Baptiste, who signed professional terms last month. Curle added: "I still need to know whether I need to bring in one or two players and who would suit playing alongside Rhys if he is available. "But the wheels are in motion and I hope to have something sorted out soon. "No one said it was going to be easy. We just have to get on with the job in hand." Curle is allowed three more loan periods this season, two being freed up by the permanent signing of Adam Eaton last week, but I understand the central defender being considered may move on a short-term contract. The transfer deadline is on March 27. |
Latest | March 2003