Smith and Lumsdon will miss Bristol game
Last updated 12:56, Wednesday, 06 August 2008
John Ward has insisted he would not be forced into the loan market despite being deprived of TWO key midfielders for the start of the new season.
Grant Smith and Chris Lumsdon are now definitely out of Saturday’s opening league clash at Bristol Rovers through injury.
It leaves Marc Bridge-Wilkinson and Luke Joyce locked in a straight fight for a place in the side at the Memorial Stadium and also for the Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury three days later.
And Ward said he was confident he had enough options in midfield despite the loss of Smith and Lumsdon.
“From what was one of the strongest positions at the club, it now looks a bit thinner,” the United manager said.
“But I’ve been pleased with the form of Bridge-Wilkinson and Joyce in pre-season and Jeff Smith can do a job there if required.
“It still leaves us with some very capable players.
“Grant Smith is only going to be short-term. We expect him back after the Shrewsbury game and we are yet to find out how long Chris Lumsdon will be out.
“So there is no major panic for anything.”
Smith tore a thigh muscle in training last Friday while Lumsdon is facing an anxious wait before learning the extent of the back injury which has ruined his own pre-season.
The 28-year-old will have an injection next week before United’s specialist will advise the midfielder on the length of his lay-off.
The Blues boss must now decide whether to go for Bridge-Wilkinson’s experience or the promise of Joyce in the crucial opening day trip to Bristol in three days’ time.
Ward yesterday released teenage trialists Tyrone Cameron and Ashley-Paul Robinson after concluding that neither youngster would improve his squad in the long-term.
The manager replaced both youngsters at half-time in the 3-1 friendly defeat at Workington after the London-born pair struggled against United’s Conference North opponents.
Ward had earlier been optimistic that former Fulham kid Cameron would prove himself at Brunton Park but has now decided he is no better than other young defenders at the club such as youth-team right-back Jonny Blake.
Concerns over Robinson’s condition, meanwhile, accounted for the ex-Crystal Palace wide man. “He didn’t work hard enough to get that right,” said Ward.
United have also confirmed the return of Dave Timmins as their new full-time goalkeeping coach.
Timmins worked under Paul Simpson at United before following the Cumbrian manager to Preston in 2006.
He replaces previous ‘keeper coach Simon Smith, who was unable to commit to a full-time role with the club. “Simon did a terrific job but we didn’t see enough of him as he had other commitments such as England Under 19s,” said Ward. “We’ve now got a permanent goalkeeping coach who will be at every game and every training session.”
- To read a guide to all of United's rivals for the coming season and to view reporter Jon Colman's predictions for the season, see today's News & Star newspaper.
