7th December 2000  

POSH in injury crisis?

PAUL JONES has been written out of Athletic’s plans until the second half of January at the earliest. The central defender yesterday underwent surgery to repair a fractured cheekbone and damaged eye socket. 

While the injury is not as serious as it might have been - it would have been worse had the fracture been depressed - manager Andy Ritchie estimates his absence will still be at least six weeks. Ritchie is reasonably well covered with Shaun Garnett and Scott McNiven the first choice central-defensive pairing at the moment. 

Fortunately Mark Hotte and Barry Prenderville have recovered from injury while Ben Futcher is also another central defender on the playing staff. But the loss of Jones, who scored the winner against Oxford last Saturday, is nonetheless a blow. 

The 22-year-old, signed from non-league Leigh RMI last season, has become a valuable member of the squad and until recently had been a regular in the starting line-up. 

It has been another frustrating week for Ritchie with the LDV Vans Trophy tie against Wigan postponed on Tuesday and last night’s reserve-team game versus Bolton also called off. Ritchie had wanted last night to give players like Hotte and Prenderville much-needed match practice after their lay-offs. 

Similarly, John Sheridan, who has not played since the opening day of the season, is badly in need of games. Ritchie had also earmarked strikers Mark Allott, Matthew Tipton and Ryan Sugden for a reserve-team game to keep them sharp.

Teamtalk Oldham

Mark Innes is enjoying life as a defender but the young Scot doesn't see the switch as a long-term option. The 22-year-old has slotted in well as a makeshift left back after taking over from the out-of-favour Andrew Holt. Innes revealed: "To be honest I am not bothered where I play -- just as long as I am in the side. "Before I was moved into defence I had watched the previous game from the stands. "I know which situation I prefer." He still feels, though, that his best position is in midfield. Innes explained: "I am used to playing as an attacking midfielder and I like to be involved all the time in a game. "You don't get a lot of the ball at full back and the chances of linking up with the attack don't come along very often." It is all new to Innes and he is doing his best to improve his performances by watching full backs on television! He added: "I am trying to pick up on everything they do. "I am just seeing what everyone else does and hoping it will rub off on me. "I will make mistakes but so far I don't think I have done too badly. "I can honestly say I am enjoying myself."

Andy Ritchie believes Andrew Holt will bounce back to form as he now faces a challenge to reclaim his place in the side. Before the arrival of new boys Tony Carss and David Eyres, he was the only naturally left-side player at Boundary Park. There was no competition for his place and the 22-year-old was virtually guaranteed a place in the side. Now he faces a fight to get it back.
Ritchie said: "Andy has lost a bit of confidence this season. "At the moment the left back spot belongs to Mark Innes, but I know Andy wants it back. "He took it okay when I left him out of the side and he needs to get it right mentally. "I am confident he will get it right and come good for us again." 

The Posh.com

The nightmare injury scenario continues as Peterborough United prepare for Sunday's AXA FA Cup second round home meeting against Oldham Athletic with the treatment room the focal point of preparations and physiotherapist Paul Showler even staying on at the ground for evening sessions.

Inevitably manager Barry Fry will be forced to make a late team selection and could even go into the tie without his entire first choice back four of Dean Hooper, Simon Rea, Andy Edwards and Adam Drury.

Hooper has to serve a one match suspension this weekend and Drury's most realistic chance of returning to action looks to be the visit to Cambridge United on Friday week (15th December). Central pairing Rea and Edwards both missed Tuesday's LDV vans Trophy win over Luton Town and are having daily treatment, as is Leon McKenzie. Mark Tyler should be able to resume but Richard Scott is still sidelined.

Barry remains optimistic and believes the performance of what was almost a reserve side against Luton proves that the club has the necessary strength in depth. 'The players that could come in certainly won't let the club down but Sunday is a massive game and I want as many of my big gun players out there as possible, but I will not risk anyone who is not 100% fit.

'With three treatment sessions a day taking place we even have the lads who live away staying over in Peterborough to be available for more attention. Time is against most of them making it and I think it will be a photo finish which ever way we look at it,' he explained.

Sunday's tie has a 3pm kick-off and tickets are available at the Club Shop, London Road, from 10am to 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and from 9.30am to 5pm on Saturday. The Club Shop still has standing tickets available for the game away to Cambridge.

Follow http://www.theposh.com/multimedia/audio/barry/barry.html for audio as Barry Fry explains his injury problems ahead of the FA Cup Second Round clash with Oldham Athletic.