Telford United v. Leigh RMI preview

By Matt Lawton
November 14 2003

Leigh RMI make the trip to Shropshire on Saturday afternoon to face Telford United in a vital Conference game at their impressively rebuilt Bucks' Head stadium.

RMI player-manager Phil Starbuck is set to ring the changes for the visit to Telford, following the 4-1 home defeat to Scarborough on Tuesday evening. Starbuck was irate at the capitulation of his side and may be set to include Paul Shepherd in the starting line up after he impressed as a half time substitute on Tuesday, while Adi Orr could be in line to make his full RMI debut after signing on the morning of the Scarborough game.

Starbuck is sweating over the fitness of his assistant Steve Redmond, who was taken off in the first half of Tuesday's game after suffering a leg injury in a rash challenge, while former Barnsley winger Carl Barrowclough is hoping to be fit despite being replaced by Shepherd at the break on Tuesday after picking up an injury.

Barrowclough and Redmond are Starbuck's only injury and suspension worries, though the former Hucknall Town manager is on the lookout for a loan signing in time for the game just in case neither of them are fit enough to take part.

The hosts will be without their captain Scott Green after the former Bolton Wanderers and Wigan Athletic favourite was diagnosed with ligament damage in his problematic knee, an injury which was plagued him throughout his career which spanned more than 6 seasons at Burnden Park.

Michael Blackwood should be available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury, while former Port Vale star Tony Naylor is pushing for selection after recovering from a virus, and Neil Howarth comes in to the United defence.