Football: Machin seeks focus in promotion drive

NATIONWIDE PREVIEW

BOURNEMOUTH go into their Second Division fixture at home to Colchester United today with their manager, Mel Machin, determined to keep his players focused on the task of winning promotion.

After all the club's recent problems, Machin has the unusual task of keeping his players' feet on the ground. A win at second-placed Preston last week put the Cherries firmly in the promotion picture.

Catching Kevin Keegan's runaway leaders, Fulham, is a tall order but last weekend's win at Deepdale has brought a runners-up spot into view.

Machin said: "We've not got a big squad and have to rely on not getting too many injuries or suspensions. We haven't had too many and I touch wood we don't pick any up in the last 10 games."

Fulham's match at Walsall today has been postponed, but there are a number of other key fixtures. Gillingham and Manchester City face potentially tricky away games against Luton and Reading respectively, while Preston, who are second, are at home to relegation-haunted Northampton. Wigan, meanwhile, bid for a club record when they try to clinch their ninth win in a row against Stoke.

There are no First Division games today because of the international programme, but there are two tomorrow. Bradford City will be hoping to keep their promotion campaign on track when they visit Crystal Palace, while Portsmouth entertain Barnsley.

International red tape nearly forced Lee Sharpe, Bradford's new recruit, on to the sidelines for the visit to Selhurst Park. Sharpe joined Bradford on loan from Leeds, via Sampdoria, until the end of the season on Wednesday. However, clearance from the Italian Football Association did not come through until late yesterday afternoon.

Bradford have the defender John Dreyer suspended. Gordon Watson is out with a knee injury, while Stephen Wright is doubtful with a thigh strain.

Palace, meanwhile, will field a much-changed side after the departures this week of six players, five of them on loan. Their problems could be exacerbated if Sasa Curcic and Gordan Petric refuse to play in protest at the Nato air strikes on Serbia.

Portsmouth, meanwhile, will hope to put some space between themselves and the relegation positions when they take on Barnsley at Fratton Park. Pompey will be without Dave Waterman due to international commitments, but Andy Awford returns after suspension. Alan McLoughlin is available after the Republic of Ireland's match against Macedonia was called off. Barnsley's two new signings this week, the Brazilian Fumaca and the Spaniard Francisco `Piri' Mori-Cuesta, will have to wait for their chance.

Mike Newell, the former Blackburn Rovers striker, has joined Crewe on a free transfer from Aberdeen.