The snowy weather has delayed Trinidad and Tobago international Kerry Baptiste’s trial with the Blues, according to reports in the Caribbean. Wideman or striker Baptiste, who currently plays for Joe Public in his home country, was set to spend the coming week training at Playford Road.
News of the 28-year-old’s trial first surfaced three weeks ago, although manager Roy Keane subsequently said he knew nothing about the planned spell.
Baptiste, who scored 48 goals for his club last season, says he has been working on his fitness ahead of his time with Town: "I have been doing a lot of training and I am really looking forward to this opportunity to further my skills and put my club and country further on the international landscape.”
Elsewhere, defender Tommy Smith has told the New Zealand press that manager Keane is by no means the terrifying figure he is often claimed to be: "People see Roy as a scary man but he's quite approachable.
"He doesn't get involved on a personal level but he's always saying if we ever need to talk about anything football related, he's just a knock on the door away. He is definitely the biggest influence on my career right now, no doubt about it."
Smith says Keane firmly backed his decision to switch international allegiance to the nation where he grew up: "The opportunity to play in a World Cup doesn't come around very often. When I told Roy about the opportunity to play for New Zealand, he told me to grab it with both hands. It's every boy's dream to play in a World Cup."
Meanwhile, former X-Factor contestant Olly Murs says he has been getting advice from Keane by text, having met the Blues boss at the recent Celtic-Rangers game: "Roy Keane is a legend, just such a wonderful person.
"I am a massive Manchester United fan and to have this icon from the club talking to me and giving me advice is out of this world."
"People warned me that I wouldn’t get a smile out of him, let alone a minute of his time to talk to him. Nothing could be further from the truth. He said talent is only half the battle and hard work will always win out.”
And in other transfer news, former Blue Shefki Kuqi has again been linked with a move to Swansea. The Finnish international striker is currently with German side Koblenz.