Killen a serious doubt
Last updated : 24 December 2004 By The Chairman
Chris Killen’s (pictured) groin strain is making him a serious doubt for the holiday period games. There is less than a 50-50 chance of him playing at Hartlepool and for the visit of Peterborough. Killen, the clubs leading scorer with 11 goals, was hoping that the rest from the Port Vale game would be enough but now confesses that he will be hard pressed to take part in the important games.
This could mean that Scott Vernon and Kevin Betsy will continue as striking partners. With Jermaine Johnson ruled out for up to three months, manager Brian Talbot cannot take any short term loanees as he has reached his limit with the arrival of Alex Bruce from Blackburn. If however, Bruce, Kilkenny, Croft or Hughes sign season long deals it would open the door for more short term signings.
Talbot explained why he let Mark Arber go to Peterborough, “It works out cheaper and finances do come into it, but having young lads also gives us energy and enthusiasm. Although it must look like we’re running a nursery, the other three loan signings have done very well. None of them had any experience and I don’t know yet whether Alex Bruce is up to playing at this level, but there’s only one way to find out. Players have come and gone, but we aren’t burdening the club with major commitments.”
With captain Dean Holden available after suspension, and with Hughes, Croft and Pogliacomi fully recovered Talbot’s problems are less. Bruce will be in line for a league debut at Hartlepool.
Squads for the game:
ATHLETIC (from): Pogliacomi, Holden, Beharall, Haining, D Hall, Griffin, Croft, Kilkenny, Hughes, Eyres, Betsy, Vernon, Bonner, Eyre, Lomax, Bruce, Killen, Wolfenden, Boshell, Mildenhall.
HARTLEPOOL (from): Konstantopoulos, Ross, Westwood, Nelson, Robertson, Williams, Sweeney, Tinkler, Humphreys, Boyd, Porter, Istead, Appleby, Strachan, Brackstone, Clark, Provett.