Town striker David Johnson picked up an ankle injury whilst training with the Wales squad and as a consequence missed their game with Switzerland. The extent of the injury is not known, although Welsh caretaker-manager Mark Hughes says he could have given him a few minutes in the match with the Swiss.

With Johnson not taking part at the weekend and no competitive Wales fixture for another year the way is still left open for him to commit himself to any of the home countries and Jamaica. He has already made one appearance on the bench for the England U21s, one appearance as substitute for an England B side and made three appearances for Jamaica. Rumours at the weekend suggested that Scotland had made moves towards Town's top scorer, although Johnson has refuted this saying he is committed to Wales. Whether his injury willl keep him out of the Town side at the weekend is as yet unestablished.

Matt Holland made his first appearance for Ireland on Saturday coming on as an 87th minute substitute during their 1-1 draw with Macedonia in Skopje. This means that Ireland join England and Scotland in the Euro 2000 play-offs which could cause Town problems. With Richard Wright and Matt Holland both likely for a call-up Town could end up playing without them in the match against Tranmere on November 13th. Normally Town can rely on a third player being called up, usually Northern Ireland U21 Sean Friars, but with Northern Ireland not playing it seems Town may be forced to field a weakened line-up.

The rumour mill has churned out another couple of oddities this weekend with Town said to be interested in a number of players. Most interesting is the story that we are after St Mirren's Sergei Baltacha Junior, son of the former Town man and first Soviet player in British football Sergei Baltacha Senior. However, George Burley has dismissed the suggestion that Town are on the brink of a £500,000 move, saying that Baltacha is just one player of several that the club are looking at. Also linked is Gillingham striker Bob Taylor who was linked with Town some while ago, but nothing came of it. The former Brentford, Birmingham, Orient and Norwich player scored a hat trick on Saturday as the Gills beat Wrexham 5-1. It would be a great surprise if Burley were willing to part with £500,000 for another striker, particularly one who is 28. Doubt there is much in either story.

According to Millwall boss Keith Stevens the south London club are still interested in bringing in some new faces, but as yet haven't made an approach to Adam Tanner. A loan move has been on the cards for a few weeks now, but despite Stevens watching Tanner's performances in the reserves nothing sunstantail has occurred as yet.

Town striker Neil Midgley, currently on loan at Luton Town opened his League goals account at the weekend. The 20 year old striker scored in Luton's 2-1 defeat at Oldham.

Photo: Action Images

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