Crystal Palace are hoping that the notoriously field-like Selhurst Park pitch may help them overcome Town tonight (7.45). Injury and financial disaster hit Palace beat Town 3-2 towards the end of last season when the pitch clearly hindered Town's passing game. The Town squad: R Wright, Croft, McGreal, Mowbray, Brown, Clapham, Stockwell, Magilton, Holland, Johnson, Scowcroft, Venus, Salmon, J Wright, Friars, Axeldal, Wilnis, Naylor and Midgley
Peterborough manager Barry Fry is reported to want to take Town's Neil Midgley on loan. The young striker has only recently completed a two month spell at Luton and was keen to join the Kenilworth Road club. George Burley recalled him as cover for Richard Naylor who was suspended for the Crewe and Forest games. With Naylor's knees playing up more than ever Burley will have to decide whether he can risk Midgley going off once more. The manager said "It depends on Richard Naylor's fitness as to whether Neil can have another spell on loan. Nothing will happen until after our Cup-tie with Southampton".
With Town's seemingly never ending search for a winger continuing the name of Martin Smith has once again been thrown into the ring. Smith you may remember was set to go on the Town pre-season tour of the Arctic before deciding that he didn't want to leave the North and live in sunny, not soot-stained Suffolk. Howerver, the former Sunderland man has told his new club, the perennially crisis struck Sheffield United, that he won't be signing any contract beyond the one year he has already committed himself to. That means that if the Blades are to avoid a Bobby Petta type situation from occurring they will have to sell him asap, probably for about £500,000. With the nights drawing in and the cold beginning to bite he mioght have changed his mind...
Talking of wingers worth around £500,000 Odd Inge Olsen the improbably named Norwegian who was on trial last week before sustaining an injury, may well be back in Town in the next few days. George Burley said he will speak to him when Town return from London.
Stuart Niven has had his cruciate ligament operation. He briefly returned home to Scotland, but is now back in Suffolk and is making good progress. He is unlikely to be available again this season.