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Roca races for fitness as Reds eye midtable

Carlos Roca faces a late fitness test as FC United go into Saturday’s match against familiar foes Nantwich Town knowing that a win could see the Reds leapfrog their opponents into mid-table respectability.

United are unbeaten in 2010 with two draws and a victory giving them a solid base to go forward with. They are two points behind the Dabbers but also have a game in hand. Depending on how Buxton, Burscough and Marine get on this weekend, the Reds could replace Saturday’s opponents in 11th place - a position which Karl Marginson’s side held for much of last season.

United expect to have a virtually full complement of players to choose from. Roca will travel with the squad to the Weaver Stadium and be given the chance to prove he has overcome his hamstring strain, Adriano Rigoglioso can play before serving his three match ban whilst Adam Tong has one month length before emigrating to Australia. Danny Warrender is the only long term absentee.

Assistant manager Roy Soule said: "Carlos felt a little twinge last Saturday at Durham so we decided to take him off. It was only a little twinge though so we’ll give him a fitness test on Saturday.

"Danny (Warrender) is still having problems with his hip and he’s got a few personal problems to resolve. Once they are settled we look forward to welcoming him back into the fold. Tongy has assured me personally that he wants to carry on playing right up until he leaves, he wants to go out on a high - all guns blazing, so that’s good enough for Karl and me."??

Saturday’s fixture will be the 10th competitive match between the two sides, honours are currently even with three wins each and three draws, although Nantwich’s 5-1 in the President’s Cup two years ago, which is included in that statistic, was overturned due to the Dabbers fielding an eligible player.

This season, a Phil Marsh hat-trick and one from Jamie Mack saw United demolish Nantwich 4-0 in October at Hyde United’s Ewen Fields. The Reds will be hoping for more of the same but Soule knows that Nantwich are a tricky team to beat, especially at home.

He said: "They are a good footballing side with a bit of resilience, I like to think we’re like that too. Hopefully the form we showed against them at Hyde can be replicated on Saturday and we’ll pick up all three points."??

Nantwich Town versus FC United of Manchester is this Saturday with kick-off at three o’clock and it’s pay on the gate. Get yourself to that football ground.



First Posted ~ 13:28 Fri 5 Feb 2010
News ID ~ 2693
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021