TOWN captain Efe Sodje today received an unwanted birthday present.

The popular centre-back - now 32 - had been due to play for the Reserves against Halifax at the Galpharm tomorrow after completing a three-match ban for his sending-off against Barnsley.

It was to have been his first match for two and a half weeks and vital before his availability for Saturday's 1pm kick-off against Torquay at Plainmoor, but the match has been called off because Halifax can't raise enough players.

"Sodje is a firm fans' favourite here and he is itching to get back because he's that sort of character," said Jackson today.

"Our back three of Steve Yates, Nathan Clarke and David Mirfin have been outstanding, though, so he knows he has a lot to do to get back in the side.

"It was important for Efe to get a good, solid 90 minutes under his belt against Halifax and it's very disappointing for him and the rest of the lads that the game is off."

Midfielder Tony Carss was also due to play in the match.

Carss played 12 minutes as a substitute in the 3-1 victory against Walsall - his first action in five weeks since undergoing knee surgery.

"I was in two minds whether to give Tony a start against Walsall, but I thought he might just be a little too rusty to slot straight back into the first team," explained Jackson.

"That's why I opted to play Andy Holdsworth in there, but when Carssy went on for Lee Fowler he did fine and it would have been good for him to get a full game tomorrow."

Town - who will have midfield worker Jon Worthington available to face Leroy Rosenior's side - are monitoring the fitness of Rob Edwards and Andy Booth, who both have hamstring strains.

Worthington, who served his one-match ban against Walsall, would not have been risked in the Reserves.

Meanwhile, club owner Ken Davy and chief executive Andrew Watson will be guests of the Patrons Association at the Galpharm on Thursday (8.00).