DAVID UNSWORTH will get another chance to earn a contract when Arsenal kick off Town’s centenary celebrations tomorrow.
While stadium staff gear up for what they hope will be the third-highest gate for a home friendly in those 100 years and fans of both clubs wonder whether Euro 2008 winner Cesc Fabregas will get a first pre-season run-out for the visitors, Town trialist Unsworth is set for a second Galpharm appearance.
Having played in a private practice match against Accrington last week, the former Everton favourite impressed at left-back in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Sheffield United.
Boss Stan Ternent will take another look as Arsenal aim to follow up Sunday’s 1-0 home win over Real Madrid in a prestigious clash which looks sure to attract more than 15,000.
While Town’s best-ever home friendly gate of 20,042 against crack Argentinian side Independiente in 1954 and the 18,850 turn-out against Leeds in 1999 seem out of reach, the 15,502 figure against the Elland Road club in 1996 is well within the radar, particularly as there is pay-on-the-day availability.
The crowd will be swelled by at least 2,400 Arsenal supporters and with many tickets to be collected on the night, all fans are advised to get there well ahead of the 7.00 kick-off.
With more than 16,100 season-tickets sold, the crowd for Saturday’s League I opener against Stockport County is set to be even bigger, and Unsworth will be hoping to figure.
"David has experience and a tremendous pedigree," said Ternent of the ex-England international who was at Burnley last season and has also played for West Ham, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Sheffield United and Wigan.
"I like what I’ve seen of him so far, and we’ll probably make a decision on things after tomorrow’s match."
Should Unsworth sign, he would be the seventh close-season addition to a squad which was training at Storthes Hall today.
Wenger, whose first competitive match is the Champions League third qualifying round first leg against Steve McClaren’s Twente Enschede in Holland a week tonight, was putting his players through their paces in a public work-out at the Emirates Stadium.
