Booth's cup-tie target!

Jan 15 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANDY RITCHIE hopes injured Andy Booth will be back in two weeks and fellow striker Danny Cadamarteri within six.

Thigh injury victim Booth last played at Nottingham Forest on New Year’s Day and looks certain to miss the upcoming trips to Brighton (on Saturday) and Swindon (a week tonight).

But the six-goal star will have the FA Cup fourth-round clash at Oldham in his sights after responding well to treatment from physio Lee Martin.

Cadamarteri last played at Leeds on December 8, but the origins of his knee trouble go back to the game at Tranmere on October 26.

“Cads felt a bit of pain after that game, but had a course of anti-inflammatories which seemed to do the trick,” explained Ritchie. “But it appears they were just masking the problem, which involves a build-up of fluid around the tendon behind the kneecap.”

After consultation with a specialist, Cadamarteri, who missed the first eight games of the season with a hamstring injury, underwent a procedure known as dry needling.

An alternative to surgery, which could have sidelined him until next season, it involves a hypodermic needle being pushed into the problem area.

That causes a re-bleed, and a regeneration of cells which help the process of repair, hopefully settling things down in a couple of weeks.

That would allow the 28-year-old, who has played 14 times for the club since signing in the summer, to get back onto the training pitch.

“It’s a case of seeing how Danny responds to the dry needling, and the early signs are encouraging,” added Ritchie.

While Luke Malcher has undergone hernia surgery, fellow teenage frontman Lucas Akins, who is on loan at Northwich Victoria, has been back at Town for treatment to an ankle knock.

It’s hoped he will be fit for what would be an eighth Vics appearance in Saturday’s Blue Square Premier trip to high-flying Burton Albion.

Town Reserves were in Pontin’s Holidays League Central Division action against Bradford at Valley Parade this afternoon (2.00).