Dodd poised for pre-season debut

6:00am Friday 18th July 2008

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WORCESTER City fans are set to get their first sight of new signing Matt Dodd in tomorrow’s pre-season friendly against Nuneaton Town (3pm).

Dodd joined the Blue Square South club at the beginning of the month but has not featured in either warm-up match to date because of holiday commitments.

The pacy former Sutton Coldfield winger, however, is expected to be given 45 minutes of action against the British Gas Business Division One Midlands outfit.

Manager Richard Dryden said: “Matt’s done all the training sessions since we’ve signed him but now he’s got to be match-fit and raring to go. It’s a two-league step-up but he’s got pace to worry anybody.”

Dryden was pleased with his side’s showing in a 2-0 defeat against Cheltenham last Saturday but saw City overwhelmed 4-0 by an impressive Walsall outfit on Tuesday.

However, he expects the challenge of Nuneaton to provide a truer barometer of where his team are at in preparation for the new season.

Nuneaton, who just missed out on the Blue Square North play-offs last season, were demoted two divisions after going into liquidation and subsequently dropped Borough from their team name. Only six players remain from last term’s squad, including keeper Darren Acton and midfielders Mark Noon and Matty Collins.

Dryden said: “Cheltenham was a good game for us. It gave us a lot of confidence but Walsall were magnificent and we were taught a lesson.

“Defensively, we did alright for 30 minutes because they had a lot of the ball but I don’t think Danny McDonnell had a save to make until the goal.

“Then you could see us visibly tiring minute by minute. Hopefully, this one will be a bit more even.

“Nuneaton have kept some very good players. I am not worried about results but it would be nice to concentrate on the attacking side.”

Midfielder Dave Bampton should have recovered from an ankle knock, while keeper McDonnell is likely to be given the full 90 minutes.

McDonnell had not been expected to play beyond half-time against the Saddlers but replacement Zac Jones was stuck in traffic travelling from Wigan and only arrived for the last 30 minutes.

Jones could figure again later in pre-season, while Chris Sanna continues to train at Chester City.