Ryan and Cole set to return from injury for friendly
Steven Pressley has been boosted by the return of Jimmy Ryan and Devante Cole from injury for this afternoon’s friendly clash with AZ Alkmaar (kick-off 1pm BST).The pair have shaken off niggles to be involved as Town play the fourth game of their pre-season schedule.
After being given 30 minutes in the 0-0 draw with Fortuna Sittard last night, Town name Nathan Pond, Bobby Grant and David Ball in the starting eleven, while Ash Eastham and Eggert Jonsson are again in from the start.
Opponents AZ, who have won the Eredivisie twice, in 1980/81 and 2008/09, finished fourth in the Dutch top flight last season and are expected to name a first team line-up, and Cod Army boss Pressley says he’s looking forward to the test.
“It will be another tough exercise for us,” said the boss.
“There are a number of tired bodies in our squad at the moment and we naturally have a few players missing with niggles.
“None of them are long-term and it’s all part of a pre-season.
“We are looking forward to today’s game and it’s a perfect chance for the players to get minutes under their belts against top opposition.”
TOWN: Cairns, Eastham, Pond, Davis, Duckworth, Sowerby, Ryan, Jonsson, T Grant, B Grant, Ball.
Subs: Neal, McLaughlin, Osbourne, Haughton, Cole, Nadeson