Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Yorke and Cole hamstrung for Hawthorns collision

Andy Martin
Sunday 29 September 2002 00:00 BST
Comments

Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke have not been included in Blackburn Rovers' squad for tomorrow's Premiership match at West Bromwich Albion. But the injured former Manchester United strikers may get a late call-up if they improve over the weekend.

Cole and Yorke have hamstring strains which excluded them from Rovers' 1-0 defeat of Leeds last Sunday. Rovers' manager, Graeme Souness, said: "There is no Cole or Yorke, but we still have the best part of three days."

The good news for Blackburn is that Damien Duff is back in the squad after injury and he is certain to play some part at The Hawthorns.

Matt Jansen, a longer-term absentee at Ewood Park, could be back playing within the next fortnight following a scooter accident in the summer. Jansen is on holiday and should be ready for first-team action on his return.

Blackburn face a testing week. After West Brom they travel to Bulgaria for the Uefa Cup first-round second leg against CSKA Sofia, with the sides standing at 1-1, and then meet Tottenham on Sunday.

Albion's winning form – three wins from seven Premiership games – was rudely interrupted by last weekend's 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, when goalkeeper Russell Hoult was sent off after hauling down Michael Owen.

Wimbledon supporters have called on the Football League to block the First Division club's proposed move to a temporary stadium in Milton Keynes. The Dons have planning permission for a 12,000-seater ground at the National Bowl and aim to move in at Christmas. But the Wimbledon Independent Supporters' Association claim the club have broken the terms of their agreement to leave south London because they have an option to play at the Bowl for up to six years.

Wisa's Nicole Hammond said: "The Football League will have to approve any temporary move made mid-season. We call on the League to refuse such permission."

Six Nationwide clubs have formed a co-operative in an attempt to raise revenue. Stoke, Crewe, Port Vale, Wrexham, Stockport and Macclesfield have joined forces in the first venture of its type in the game. The Crewe chairman, John Bowler, said: "We believe that already we are getting offers which are bigger and better than we would get on our own."

The clubs have employed Goodform to seek out commercial opportunities. "The concept of bringing clubs together as a co-operative has so far worked very successfully," said Goodform's managing director, Stuart Dalrymple. "Today's climate isn't easy for sports clubs, but we are confident this initiative will be a great commercial success for all parties."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in