LATEST signing Gary Roberts will make his Galpharm bow against Sheffield United tomorrow with licence to spark the Town attack.
The £250,000 arrival from Ipswich has been training with Stan Ternent’s squad since Tuesday and, barring any late problems, will start against Kevin Blackwell’s Championship charges (Noon).
Roberts, 24, can’t wait to get cracking and while the manager – who is closing in on a seventh signing of the summer – has yet to finalise his starting line-up, it’s probable Andy Booth will lead the line.
Ternent will also give a run-out to trialist defender David Unsworth, who turned down a new contract at Burnley and is hoping to add his Premiership pedigree to Town’s League I mix.
Other new arrivals Michael Flynn, Jim Goodwin, Andy Butler and Keigan Parker are also available for the team to be skippered by Chris Lucketti – back on his previous home turf for the first time against the club he has just left.
“Sheffield United are a good team, one of the favourites to win promotion out of the Championship, and it will be a real test for us – but we are looking forward to it,” said Ternent today.
“It will be nice to play on our own pitch for the first time and places are still up for grabs, so it’s up to the players to stake their claim for a shirt.
“We’ve been creating numerous chances in games, so I’d like to see us sticking a few more of them away, and we will still be working on little bits and pieces within the team as the game progresses.”
Booth was rested from the practice match against Accrington with a view to playing tomorrow and Ternent explained: “I want Boothy available for the League games first and foremost and I’ll be led by him on how he feels. He’ll definitely play his part because he’s important to us.”
In addition to ex-Town man Jon Stead, United are expected to have new signings David Cotterill, Matthew Spring and keeper Justin Haber in their squad.
Ternent message – Page 41.
