Due to Gareth Stewart’s suspension the club have managed to sign James Bittner on non-contract terms. He travels to Prenton Park as cover should Michael Menetrier fail to recover from a hip injury. The 20 year old keeper has had some League experience at Fulham and Swindon Town, but has spent this season at Chippenham Town and latterly at Salisbury City.
Gareth O’Connor, Brian Stock and Carl Fletcher all sit out this important game but Richard Hughes may be available.
Warren Feeney has been called up for the Northern Ireland squad for a match against Liechtenstein at the end of this month. He would not miss a club game on this occasion.
18 March
Former favourite Steve Robinson has joined Bristol City on loan.
19 March
Despite a clean sheet Gareth Stewart returns between the sticks for tonight’s crucial game against Cambridge United. The Echo reminds us all that the U’s are the only club yet to win away in the League this season.
Kieran McAnespie has had his loan spell extended by a further month.
Karl Broadhurst is available for selection again, but injury doubts exist for Warren Feeney (hip) and Jason Tindall (ankle). The pair missed training yesterday apparently.
There are three new triallists at the club; Brian McIlroy a 19 year old striker who is available at the end of the season from Liverpool; Alan Connell also a 19 year old striker available on a free transfer from Ipswich, and Justin Cochrane a 20 year old defender also on a free transfer from Queens Park Rangers.
Triallists Gary McManus, Sam Sloma and Matt Strode may be invited back for further training after last week’s reserve victory. The latter is also said to be with Winchester City (Hampshire Premier League) for match fitness.
Gordon Watson has been offered a two-year contract at Hartlepool United having scored 14 times in 24 games since moving north earlier this season.
22 March
Eddie Howe and Warren Feeney are both rumoured to be being lined up as transfer targets of Charlton Athletic. Agents for the players are playing them down and Sean O’Driscoll has not heard anything at the club about any contact being made.
Paul Morrell is now Coach at Poole Town having left a similar position at Lymington & New Milton.
23 March
It’s that time again, supporters are being canvassed by the Echo to vote for the player of the season in the “prestigious” Micky Cave-Daily Echo player of the year Trophy. The closing date is 10 April.
Neil Prosser has found another managerial post with Esso Fawley.
26 March
Perhaps we should all have seen this coming way back, but Harry Redknapp has been appointed as new Manager at Portsmouth. The Echo takes pains to point out that his still interested in Eddie Howe.
27 March
Warren Feeney should gain a full cap in tonight’s friendly in Liechtenstein, and has set himself a 15-goal target in the League.
The Echo’s AFCB website has 82% of those who voted as believing the club can avoid relegation.
Triallist Alan Connell featured in the Reserves’ 1-4 defeat against Crystal Palace, his performance pleasing the club management.