City under-strength for City trip

9:31am Monday 5th December 2005

ST ALBANS CITY FC are back in action tomorrow night (Tuesday) when they visit Hemel Hempstead Town in the Herts Senior Cup.

But City boss Colin Lippiatt was relieved to have a free weekend in order to try and get his squad back to full fitness.

"We've had so many problems at the back this season with injuries and suspensions it's absolutely unbelievable," said Lippiatt.

"It's frustrating as I feel that if we had Ben Martin injured and Djoumin Sangare returned to Lewes after loan spell playing continually from the start of the season then our points tally would certainly be higher than it is now."

But the introduction of Nick Burton, who played with fellow central defender Aaron Barnett at Gravesend, does give Lippiatt extra options.

"Maybe that will give us the chance to play Patrick Ada in the centre of midfield because that is his natural position, it is just that he has done so well filling in at the back."

And the return of the left-footed Ben Walshe, who left City in July for big-spending Ryman side Fisher Athletic, gives Lippiatt further options.

"I got to hear that Ben wasn't too happy at Fisher and put in a seven day approach for him," said Lippiatt.

"He enjoyed his time here before and always did very well for me.

"But I think he just thought the grass was a bit greener on the other side and I think he'll be the first to admit he made a mistake.

"But, not only does it give me a left-sided option but, along with Mark Graham, and Matt Hann, it means I now have three wide players to choose from."

Walshe should feature against Hemel on Tuesday, but Ada and Paul Hakim are both struggling with ankle ligament problems and are unlikely to be risked for the game. The duo met with the club physio last night (Wednesday) and although they are likely to have been given the all-clear Lippiatt's priorities lie with the League.

Burton is on honeymoon and will miss the next two games, as does Scott Cousins as he has to serve a two match suspension.

Paul Bastock will also step aside and allow teenage goalkeeper James Lambley to make his debut while a number of other youth players will also feature.