Injuries
crisis rocks Johnson
By Matt Pitman
Friday 21st January 2005
STEVE Johnson plans to hold a roll-call of his walking wounded
before injury ravaged Weymouth host Thurrock at the Wessex
Stadium tomorrow.
The Terras boss could be without up to nine first team players
for the visit of the Conference South high-flyers and plans
to delay naming his starting line-up until the last possible
moment.
Striker Lee Phillips has been ruled out with a groin injury,
while crocked quartet Danny Byrne, Mark Boyce, Kieren Keane
and Bernardo Cariata will have late fitness tests.
Definitely out are long-term injury victims Adam Wilde, Dave
Waterman, Martin Barlow and Jamie Impey.
Johnson will give debuts to former Anderlecht youngster Ludovic
Cadima and Yeovil Town midfield loanee Nicolas Mirza.
And he is hopeful of securing another new player after Aldershot
Town utility man Chris Giles turned down a switch to the south
coast.
Johnson told Echosport: "The Thurrock game was always
going to be a tough game because they are going great guns,
but our injury situation makes it even tougher.
"It's looking like Lee Phillips, who has a groin injury,
is definitely going to be out for at least tomorrow and that
means our striking options are severely restricted.
"I see new signing Ludovic Cadima primarily as a right
winger for us but it may well be that the problems cause me
to play him up front tomorrow.
"That wouldn't be too bad because he has played in that
role before during a spell at Bristol City earlier this season.
"I'm keeping my fingers crossed that some of the other
injury victims recover between now and tomorrow but the way
things are looking, I'm not hopeful.
"I tried to get Chris Giles in from Aldershot but unfortunately
he has turned me down.
That's a shame because he would have been an excellent signing
as he can play in either defence or as a striker."
Johnson added "The injuries are a big blow because we
could have done with being at full-strength because this is
a massive game for us.
"We're within touching distance of the play-offs and
three points would be a massive boost.
"But whoever does get selected, I'm confident they have
enough quality to get a good result.
"Thurrock are a no nonsense, physical, direct team who
had a great win against Aldershot in the FA Trophy.
"But they are certainly beatable and Aldershot manager
Terry Brown has given me a few tips about them which could
come in handy.
"It'll be nice to a get a big crowd at the Wessex tomorrow
and because of the injuries, we need everyone to really get
behind the lads.
The singing and chanting gives the players a big lift and
the fans can really play their part tomorrow."
One bit of good news for Weymouth this week comes as a result
of Yeovil Town's FA Youth Cup.
The Glovers' run in the competition was ended by Everton,
meaning teenage defender Charlie Welch has now made his move
to the Wessex Stadium permanent.
"Signing Charlie permanently was always going to be a
formality," said Johnson, "but I'm glad everything
is now sorted.
"Charlie's a talented player who has done well in his
couple of months at the club and I'm sure he'll only get better
as he plays.
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