Suspensions and injuries continue

Stewart Talbot

Boston United will be forced to overcome three suspensions and three injuries when they tackle local rivals Notts County in Coca-Cola League Two on Saturday (kick-off 3.00pm).

The Staffsmart Stadium encounter will see various former Boston connections returning to the town, including current County manager Steve Thompson, technical director Howard Wilkinson and players Alan White, Austin McCann, Jason Lee, Lawrie Dudfield, Ian Ross and Gary Silk.

Thompson has guided County to the upper reaches of the League Two table during the early stages of the season, but Pilgrims’ first team coach Paul Raynor admitted that form would go out of the window in a local derby.

He told bufc.co.uk: “Everyone is looking forward to the match and for Boston United to be facing a club of Notts County’s stature is fantastic.

“We have endured an inconsistent start to the season, but we are conscious of the fact that victories breed confidence and three points tomorrow could be just what we are looking for to kick-start our campaign.

“We are looking forward to seeing a few old friends on Saturday, but all sentiment will be out of the window come 3.00pm and we will be focused on picking up all three points.

“The injuries and suspensions are continuing to cause problems, but we are still looking to bring a couple of players in on loan and if that is possible, it will give everyone a real lift.”

United will be without the services of suspended trio Drewe Broughton, Mark Greaves and Mark Albrighton, who all serve one-match bans, while Lee Canoville (knee), Simon Rusk (knee) and Stewart Talbot (calf) are ruled out through injury.

The Pilgrims are still actively pursuing targets in the loan market, although the clock is ticking as United’s management staff aim to get potential newcomers signed in time to face County on Saturday.

Match referee at the Staffsmart Stadium is Mark Halsey from Lancashire.

Hear Raynor’s pre-match thoughts in the subscription zone of bufc.co.uk, live now exclusively to United subscribers.