Dudfield Joins Crocked List

Last updated : 09 July 2004 By Robert Craven

The extent of Dudfield's injury is yet to be seen
The 24-year-old, who netted five times in thirteen appearances in the run-in to the end of the 2003/4 campaign after making his loan move from Northampton Town a permanent one, ironically sustained the injury when playing with a football – after the Seasiders had move bases from their Boots & Laces training ground to Kingswood in order to take part in more ‘extra-curricular’ activities.


Blues boss Steve Tilson told the Southend Evening Echo, “In a game of keep ball, Lawrie came down and felt a tweak in his knee. It’s on the outside of his leg and there’s some pain so we’re going to get it looked at. We don’t know how bad it is at the moment”, although the 37-year-old admitted that he was unable to take part in some of the more rigorous routines.


Meanwhile, Carl Pettefer, who is facing a race against time to recover from the broken leg that he sustained against Huddersfield Town in April 2004, whilst on loan from Premiership outfit Portsmouth, has been making better progress. “We’re easing Carl back into things gently”, revealed the Wickford-born former table-tennis ace, “but he joined in with the rest of the lads yesterday”.


It seems that the youngster, who spent almost the entire 2002/3 campaign on loan to strugglers Exeter City, should be OK to start the new season come August 7th against Cheltenham Town: “We don’t want to push him back too hard too quickly because that could put him back two or three weeks. At the moment I can’t see any reason why he won’t start the season”, Tilson concluded.


Jay Smith, the third member of the triumvirate of injured performers, is starting to do light exercises, although he won’t be considered for first-team action until the end of September at the very earliest. Former Aston Villa man Smith was handed a one-year contract at the end of last year with the option to extend it by twelve months if he played in another 25 games this term.


Finally, prices have been decided for the club’s Carling Cup first round clash at Upton Park. The game against West Ham United, which will kick-off at 7:45p.m. on Tuesday 24th August, will be £10 for adults, £7.50 for students and OAPs and £5 for juniors when tickets go on sale at Monday lunchtime until Wednesday to season ticket holders exclusively. Adult ticket prices will increase to £15 when tickets go on general sale thereafter. The seats, which are located in the lower tier of the Centenary Stand to the tune of a 3,900-capacity, are on sale from the Main Ticket Office.


Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com