More injuries as season draws to a close

Last updated : 08 May 2004 By Tony Scholes

Dean West - will replace Lee Roche at right back
Lee Roche is ruled out with yet another injury but amazingly Dean West, not expected to play again this season, is back in training and should replace the former Manchester United defender.

Dele Adebola, still to start for the Clarets, will be leaving the club in need of a double hernia operation. He will be having the operation next week but could be on the bench for this last match.


The line up should be similar to the one that was easily beaten last week at Rotherham and with West coming in for Roche will be:

Brian Jensen, Dean West, David May, Mark McGregor, Mo Camara, Glen Little, Richard Chaplow, Lenny Johnrose, Paul Weller, Robbie Blake, Graham Branch. Subs from: Nathan Abbey, Joel Pilkington, Matt O’Neill, Luke Chadwick, Dele Adebola, Ryan Townsend.

Our visitors Sunderland are in the play offs but will be keen to pick up some points so they will play at home in the second leg of the semi-finals.

Apart from long term casualties Paul Thirlwell and Colin Healy Sunderland will also be without suspended goalkeeper Mart Poom and Argentinian Julio Arca who was named in the PFA Divisional Team. Arca’s season is over after he had surgery on a knee injury.


Four others are nursing injuries. They are former Blackburn player Jason McAteer, Matt Piper, Darren Williams and Stephen Wright. Williams is the one expected to be passed fit.

Poom’s suspension gives 18 year-old fifth choice goalkeeper Euan McLean a place on the bench. Thomas Myhre will play but with Michael Ingham on loan at Wrexham and Ben Alnwick involved with England Youth the youngster will get his opportunity.

Manager Mick McCarthy has hinted that he might rest a couple of players, and he has discussed the situation with Gary Breen, but if not expect the Mackems to line up:

Thomas Myhre, Darren Williams, Gary Breen, Phil Babb, George McCartney, John Oster, Jeff Whitley, Carl Robinson, Sean Thornton, Marcus Stewart, Kevin Kyle. Subs not used: Euan McLean, Joachim Bjorkland, Ben Clark, Simon Ramsden, Darren Byfield, Tommy Smith.