Cardiff City news 15/03/02

Fri 15th March 2002. Oldham preview

Rumours that Cardiff City have hired a St Johns ambulance as the new team bus have been denied by the club. There was a NO COMMENT on the suggestion that nearly half of the first team squad had auditioned for parts in the new series of Casualty.

Have we ever had it so bad. 15 first team players in the treatment room ahead of one of the most important games in recent years for Cardiff City.

There is some better news, Rhys Weston and Scott Young have both been passed fit to play and David Hughes is in the squad.

Des Hamilton (knee), Lee Kendall (cartlidge) and Kurt Nogan (achillies) are out for the rest of the season. Rob Earnshaw (hamstring) is aiming for an Easter return. Jason Bowen (neck) is still ruled out and his having X rays on the injury. Josh Low (hamstring), Mark Bonner (ankle), Andrew Jordan (knee) Paul Brayson (ankle), Layton Maxwell (calf) and Gavin Gordon (hamstring) are still all ruled out. The fifteenth player, Andy Thompson is back with Cardiff City ahead of a proposed move to Shewsbury town.

City have taken the following 17 men to Oldham.

Alexander (from) Weston, Legg, Prior, Gabbidon, Kavanagh, Leo FW, Boland, Hughes, Young, Simpkins, Campbell, Jones, Thorne, Collins, Giles, Walton.

Lennie Lawrence is reported to have said this afternoon that he has taken every fit first team player available.

The lack of a natural right wing back could see City change tactics and play a flat back four with Prior and Young in central defence. Gabbidon and Weston as the full backs with Legg, Kavanagh and Boland in midfield, the right midfield place could go to Gethin Jones. Campbell and Thorne will play up front.

City really must win this game, I have previewed the other important clashes in a Division 2 preview file.

Oldham have 3,500 places available for City fans and its pay on the gate.

Oldham are likely to include new signing Andy Goram, older readers will remember the former Rangers and Scotland keeper. Also in the Oldham team is former City player Tony Carss. He was rubbish for us but was Oldham's player of the season last year.

C'mon City.