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Kuqi Injury Concern
Kuqi Injury Concern
Sunday, 2nd Jan 2005 21:04

Boss Joe Royle has promised to make one or two changes when the Blues face Plymouth Argyle at Home Park on Monday (KO 3pm). Town have an injury concern regarding striker Shefki Kuqi, who picked up a calf problem in the 2-0 loss to West Ham on New Year's Day.

Royle says any switches he makes will be aimed at giving tired players a break: "I will be making changes at Plymouth, but not because I am blaming anybody - it will be just to give people a rest."

England U19 frontman Dean Bowditch looks favourite to replace Kuqi if he fails to make it and may even come into the side for Darren Bent should the Finn recover. Bowditch took over from the under par Bent late on in the West Ham match.

Midfielder Kevin Horlock looks likely to come into the side, probably for skipper Jim Magilton who tends to be rested for a match when the Blues have two games in three days.

Loanee Daniel Karbassiyoon may make his first start after joining from Arsenal just before Christmas, probably at left-back in place of Matt Richards. The American made his Town debut as a sub against Millwall.

Town's only other senior injury is Drissa Diallo who is expected to be back in contention in the next fortnight after picking up a hamstring injury in training just prior to the holiday period.

The Blues have added midfielder or full-back Scott Mitchell to the squad, which flew down to the South-West on Sunday. Town last played at Home Park during the 1991/92 promotion season when they were defeated 1-0.

Plymouth manager Bobby Williamson says he has not yet decided on his team to face Town: "I will look at the complete squad. Steven Milne is the only injured player but everyone else comes under consideration.

"With this game only 48 hours later [than their New Year's Day 1-1 draw with Wolves], I will have to look at everyone. Although all the players did well at Wolves, I will probably have to freshen things up.

"It was a hard game and some players may not be ready for another hard game so soon."

Argyle have lost striker Stevie Crawford, who scored their second goal in the Blues' 3-2 win at Portman Road earlier in the season. The Scot is set to make a move back to his homeland, with Dundee United and Hearts said to be amongst the favourites for his signature.

Williamson has added to his squad by signing Scott Taylor for £100,000 from Blackpool. Taylor, who had scored 14 goals for the Tangerines this season prior to his move, made his Pilgrims' debut as a sub in the Wolves match.

In addition to the injured Milne, Plymouth will be without defender Graham Coughlan, who is suspended.

Monday's referee is elite list official Peter Walton. This season he has shown 41 yellow cards and two red in 16 games. He last refereed Town in last season's 2-0 defeat at Stoke.

Town squad: Davis, Price, Richards, Wilnis, Karbassiyoon, Mitchell, Naylor, De Vos, Horlock, Magilton, Miller, Westlake, Currie, Bent, Kuqi, Bowditch, Couñago.


Photo: Action Images



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