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Today's Edition for

          2nd December 1999 

Today's Headlines

 Oldham Evening Chronicle
Adams to miss out
DEFENDER Richard Graham and striker Craig Dudley could be back challenging for first team places for Athletic's trip to high-flying Preston. But Neil Adams, although making progress from a hamstring strain, is likely to be ruled out of Saturday's visit to Deepdale. Both Graham and Dudley could face fitness tests, as boss Andy Ritchie looks to further sustain a run of form which has brought only one defeat in eight League and cup games. A thigh problem kept Dudley out of Saturday's goalless draw with Wrexham, while experienced defender Graham is suffering from strained back muscles. 

Dudley's presence was definitely missed last weekend when Latics failed to score for the first time in more than two months. Ritchie said: "All professionals want to get back into it as soon as possible, and the three lads are no different. The injuries have come at a bad time, but it happens and you've got to get on with it." Halifax Town, meanwhile, have yet to follow up their interest in David McNiven, who is available on a free transfer. A Town scout watched the Leeds-born forward during the reserve-team clash with Burnley on Tuesday night. Athletic fans travelling to Preston on Saturday can book executive coach seats (£6.75) and standard coach seats (£5.50) at Latique Sports and Leisure. 

 Teamtalk Oldham
Striker on way to Shay ?
David McNiven could be on his way to Halifax. The Yorkshire club have made an inquiry and had the player watched in a midweek reserve game. The 21 year-old striker has been handed a free transfer after failing to hold down a first team place. The Shaymen have made a good start to the season but are keen to bring in more firepower up front. Record-signing Chris Tate, who arrived from Scarborough in the summer for £150 000, has not yet delivered and Mark Lillis will be keen to strenghten his squad for their promotion bid. McNiven arrived at Boundary Park with his twin brother Scott straight from school. And while Scott is having his best season yet, it was felt David had not made the grade. Halifax should be able to match his personal terms and it is thought the striker would be keen to kick-start his career across the Pennines.Teamtalk Preston
Kidd blow
Ryan Kidd's ankle jinx has struck again and he is extremely doubtful for Saturday's match against Oldham at Deepdale. Kidd limped out of Tuesday's FA Cup replay with a recurrence of his long standing ankle problem and joins the growing injury list at Deepdale. Kidd has already battled back from one lay-off this season due to the troublesome ankle and, after regaining his place in the team, was sidelined again with a viral infection.  Kidd's ill fortune will be Colin Murdock's gain for they have jockeyed all season for the central defensive berth alongside Michael Jackson. It would seem that David Moyes rates them both highly and has usually only displaced one for the other when his hand has been forced by illness, injury or suspension.
Headaches mount for Moyes
David Moyes faces substantial selection problems ahead of this weekend's game against Oldham, with his midfield particularly problematic. Sean Gregan is suspended whilst Mark Rankine and Lee Cartwright, both of whom missed out through injury on Tuesday, are doubtful for the match. Paul McKenna, with his hernia problem, will also miss out. Michael Appleton played in the centre of midfield on Tuesday with Julian Darby out wide on the right and these two are likely to figure again. Farid Diaf could also figure in the equation, he is desperate to prove himself at Deepdale and is closing in on full fitness after his recent operation. Youngster Brian Barry-Murphy, signed in the summer, will be hoping to be involved. Paul McKenna is set to have his long awaited hernia operation over the next few days but in his absence David Eyres has been in sensational form, scoring three goals in as many games.
 Soccernet Preston are likely to be unchanged for the visit of lowly Oldham to Deepdale. Gary Parkinson made his comeback for the reserves in midweek after eight months out with a cruciate ligament injury but he is not expected to be ready for first-team football for another few weeks. Assistant manager Kelham O'Hanlon said: "We played Oldham at the start of the season and we were probably lucky to get the win. "They've improved since then and so have we so it should be a good game." Oldham boss Andy Ritchie may have to make three enforced changes to his Latics side as they look to continue their climb out of trouble in Division Two. Winger Neil Adams, defender Richard Graham and striker Craig Dudley are battling to be ready for the trip to Deepdale. In-form Dudley has been suffering from a thigh problem but could be fit to return after missing the goalless draw with Wrexham. Adams has a hamstring strain and Graham has strained back muscles.

Lancashire Evening Post

Gary Parkinson’s 11 month injury hell is coming to an end. The Preston full back was included in last night’s reserve team squad for the trip to Huddersfield Town after stepping up his training over the last few weeks. And although he only got as far as the substitutes’ bench, it represented a major step forward for the popular defender in his bid for fitness. Parkinson damaged knee ligaments in the win over Chesterfield in January and broke down in his comeback game at Reading the following month. He went under the surgeon’s knife to repair the damage and has been steadily working his way back to fitness since the summer. After such a lengthy spell on the sidelines, North End will not rush the 31-year-old defender back to first team action. And a return to the squad is unlikely to come until the New Year, once he has a number of reserve team games under his belt. Last night’s game at the McAlpine Stadium ended in a 3-1 defeat for North End and left them still searching for their first Pontins Premier League win of the campaign. Brian Barry-Murphy scored their goal – a late consolation effort after Huddersfield had taken a three goal lead. Dominic Ludden and Farid Diaf were included in the side as they stepped up their recovery from injuries.

Meanwhile, the first team pool returned to training this morning ahead of Saturday’s visit of Oldham to Deepdale – the first of two meetings in eight days for the clubs. Manager David Moyes’ main concern over the next 48 hours is who will take Sean Gregan’s place in the centre of midfield for the game. The skipper is serving a one-match suspension after totting up five yellow cards. Moyes’ options are limited, with Paul McKenna having undergone surgery to repair a hernia yesterday, while Mark Rankine missed the Enfield cup tie because of a knee injury and is rated as doubtful. Michael Appleton, who played his first full senior game since September on Tuesday night, could continue while another possible choice is to switch Rob Edwards from left-back. Elsewhere on the injury front, Lee Cartwright and Ryan Kidd were having treatment on knee and ankle injuries respectively. Moyes said today: “At this stage, Lee and Mark are both big doubts for Saturday’s game. “Ryan was limping at Enfield and we all know he has had problems with his ankle. But we’re hopeful that if he takes it easy over the next couple of day, he might be okay. “Paul McKenna had a hernia operation yesterday. The normal recovery period is between four and six weeks .” But there better news concerning striker Steve Basham, and Moyes predicts he will return to training next week following an ankle injury.

North End have announced ticket details for Oldham’s second trip to Deepdale a week on Saturday in the FA Cup third round. While it is NOT an all ticket game, the club are advising supporters to buy tickets in advance as they are estimating a crowd in the region of 15,000. Tickets went on general sale this morning and season ticket holders have until 5pm on Wednesday, December 8, to claim their usual seat on production of voucher T. Fans will be charged category B prices. The Deepdale ticket office is also opening until 7pm on Monday to accommodate supporters who cannot get to the ground during normal office hours.

 Contributions and letters should be sent to Gary Davies by e-mail at [email protected]The views expressed on this e-zine are not the views of Oldham Athletic F.C. nor necessarily the views of the EditorThe editor will not publish any letters containing bad languageThis e-zine is written using Microsoft Outlook Express
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