New boy to sit out Hyde trip

ROB PURDIE — misses Hyde game

ROB PURDIE is the only absentee as Athletic play their first pre-season friendly at Hyde United tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

The 26-year-old midfielder is suffering from a stomach-muscle strain.

Purdie’s injury is not serious and manager Dave Penney hopes he will be able to resume training later this week.

The match at Ewen Field provides the first chance for Athletic fans to see their new-look team in action.

They will get a first glimpse of summer signings Dean Brill, Joe Jacobson, Dean Furman, Jon Worthington and Pawel Abbott. Penney is also likely to field a couple of trialists.

The Athletic manager says no player will play more than 45 minutes against the Blue Square North outfit, which is hardly surprising bearing in mind Penney had morning and afternoon training sessions schedules planned before tonight’s game.

Penney said: “It is all about fitness and I don’t want to push the players too hard and risk injuries.

“They will play no more than 45 minutes tonight, but in other games we will increase the time to 60 and 80 minutes before they finally play a full game.”

Athletic are at Halifax Town on Thursday and by the time they tackle Bury on Saturday they will be ready to step up their playing time.

Penney will play a full-strength team for the final two friendlies against Sunderland on July 25 and Blackpool on August 1.

Admission prices for tonight’s game are £6 for adults and £3 for children and OAPs.

The match will help raise much-needed funds for cash-strapped Hyde, who are managed by former Athletic player Neil Tolson.

They are reported to have debts in the region of £200,000 and are liaising with the Inland Revenue to formulate a settlement with regard to money owed to them.

Athletic are offering fans cut-price admission for their two home friendlies against Sunderland and Blackpool.

A joint ticket purchased before the day of the Sunderland game costs £15 for adults, £7 for 12 to 16 year olds plus OAPs, and £4 for under-12s.

Individual admission for the two friendlies is £10 for adults, £5 for concessions and £3 for under-12s.

Greg Fleming, who has completed a season-long loan to Dunfermline Athletic in Scottish division one, made his debut in Saturday’s 4-2 friendly win against Blyth Spartans.

The 22-year-old keeper has not ruled out a permanent move to his home-town team.

He said: “My family and pals still live here and that made it an easy decision.

“I don’t see why Dunfermline can’t be up there challenging come the end of the season and then we’ll see what happens.”