Out of prison Town star Gary Croft may start Saturday's game with bottom of the table Swindon. The electronically tagged defender came through yesterday's 1-0 reserve win over Gillingham with manager George Burley commenting afterwards: ""He will be in contention for Saturday's home game against Swindon. I was very pleased with how he came through the game. He is a naturally fit and very enthusiastic boy who is happy to get back playing." With Fabian Wilnis suspended there seems every chance that Croft will get an early chance to make amends for his rather troubled start at Town.
Richard Logan scored the first half winner in yesterday's reserve match at Portman Road. In a hard fought game James Pullen was one of the stars of the show pulling off one or two excellent saves including one from virtually point blank. Manager George Burley said of Pullen afterwards: "We are always looking at quality players, the way James Pullen played in goal today we have already got one here." One depressing point for Town was Manu Thetis limping off with an injury.
Reports from various sources say that Colin Suggett and Town's North-East Scout Jack Hixon (the man who discovered Alan Shearer) were watching a behind closed doors game between Newcastle and Middlesbrough. Town's interest was said to be Newcastle 'keeper Shay Given and/or striker Paul Robinson. Given has been out of favour at St James's Park for some time whilst Robinson has recently requested a transfer. The link with Shay Given has added fuel to the stories that Richard Wright may be on the move to Chelsea in the summer, or even before, despite the vehement denials of earlier in the week. Given is rated at £2.5 million whilst Robinson should cost substantially less.
Town are also once again being linked with Jack Lester. The Grimsby player was put in the transfer list earlier this week. Grimsby are looking for around £400,000 for the player who is out of contract at the end of the season. Lester would normally fetch around £750,000.
Young Town striker Carl Wright is reportedly out on trial at Scunthorpe. The striker finds himself well back in the pecking order and a move could well be in the cards.
Two Town players are up for awards with Sky. James Scowcroft is up for Goal of the Month and Richard Wright is up for Save of the Month for his double save from Tony Dinning's penalty for Stockport.