Oster still looking

Last updated : 10 July 2005 By Tony Scholes

Oster had been training with Leeds and it is believed that manager Kevin Blackwell was keen to sign him, but last week he moved back to Lancashire and has been training with Preston.

He was involved with Preston yesterday when they sent a team to Bamber Bridge and drew 1-1. Despite a whole host of substitutions Oster went on to play the entire ninety minutes but afterwards manager Billy Davies made it clear he would not be signing for them.

“He’s had a couple of days training with us,” said Davies and continued by adding, “He won’t be travelling with the rest of the squad to Italy. He needed to work on his fitness and we have given him that opportunity, he has been good to have with us.”

Preston also played at Chorley yesterday and in the two games they used a total of 42 different players – we wouldn’t know where to put so many.

Meanwhile, former Claret Paul Weller continues to train with Carlisle as he looks to get back into league football. He played yesterday against Penrith and scored the first goal in a 6-0 victory with what was described as a rocket from twenty yards.

That was after fourteen minutes but ten minutes later he was substituted despite the intention of playing him for the full ninety minutes.

He could be back on familiar ground next week, Carlisle are off to the prestigious international tournament that Paul knows so well. They will be joined by Oldham, Port Vale and the home Isle of Man XI in the competition. I bet he cannot wait.

Two players, like Oster, released at the end of last season are said to be training with local Conference club Accrington Stanley. It is perhaps no surprise to see Matt O’Neill there, he was with them on loan at the end of last season, but Tony Grant is also training with John Coleman’s side. It can surely only be for the purpose of getting himself fit.