Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Monday 7 October 2002

7 October 2002

Steve Kabba - Town's most prolific striker this season, with a total of one goal to his name - will have to return to Crystal Palace when his three-month loan with the Mariners expires on November 23. Paul Groves last week approached Trevor 'The grass was too long - or was it too short?' Francis in a bid to keep Kabba for the rest of the season, but after taking Danny Butterfield off our hands in the summer the Palace manager clearly felt he owed Town no more favours.

Some small cause for optimism: Ipswich are missing Jim Magilton, Fabian Wilnis, Hermann Hreidarsson and Mark Venus for their trip to Blundell Park tomorrow night, while Darren Bent and John McGreal are also rated doubtful.

The Diary is given a lesson in karma by GTFC's announcement - immediately after the above paragraph was posted - that Alan Pouton, John McDermott, Darren Barnard and Stuart Campbell all picked up knocks or strains on Saturday and may not make the Ipswich game. Paul Groves and Steve Chettle also remain in the treatment room.

A little bit more good news for the Mariners, though, as Wales manager Mark Hughes has told Danny Coyne and Darren Barnard that they are free to play for Town against Watford next weekend. They will leave the Welsh training camp for the match before returning immediately following the final whistle at Vicarage Road.