FOOTBALL: Gault out of Euro tie
LINFIELD will be without Michael Gault for their Europa League showdown with Randers of Denmark.
The 26-year-old is struggling with a thigh injury and won't be risked for the clash at Essex Park.
Versatile Gault will be sorely missed for the first qualifying round, first leg game, with Blues boss David Jeffrey already without influential defender William Murphy.
Gault is being touted as potential centre half material for the coming season, with the Windsor Park side already boasting a healthy midfield brigade that includes Jamie Mulgrew, Robert Garrett and new signing Philip Lowry.
Another injury doubt for Thursday is Conor Hagan - with the defender currently carrying a hamstring strain – but new striker Curtis Allen is eligible for the tie.
"Conor has a hamstring injury and Michael has a thigh injury which he aggravated on Saturday," Jeffrey revealed.
"As a precaution he won't travel to Denmark as we don't want to risk further damage which could put him out of action for a longer spell."
One boost Jeffrey has received is the move by Linfield to organise a charter flight to Denmark.
The squad will fly out this morning for Thursday's clash against Randers, the side managed by former Arsenal and Danish midfielder Jon Jensen.
"In terms of travel for the squad, it was looking like turning out to be a nightmare trip in terms of scheduled flights. It might have taken three flights there and three back with overnight stays in London," Jeffrey added.
"It's tremendous that the club has decided to go ahead and charter a plane and given that Denmark is that much closer, it certainly makes a lot of sense.
"We will travel out on Wednesday morning. We will train in the afternoon and then rest in the evening. Thursday will very much be a day of relaxation in preparation for the game and then we'll look to do as best as we can in the game on Thursday evening."
Meanwhile, former Linfield goalkeeper Alan Mannus has been invited to train with the SPL outfit Falkirk as he weighs up his options.
The 27-year-old is keen to play at a higher level after nine years with the Blues.
New Falkirk boss Eddie May could be in the market for a new keeper as doubts surround the future of Dani Mallo with the Spaniard being linked with a move to Hibernian.
May and his coaching staff will watch Mannus in training this week before deciding whether to pursue their interest in the keeper.
A host of other SPL and English sides are also thought to be in the running for Mannus' signature.
LINFIELD SQUAD: Blayney, Douglas, Harkness, Curran, Lowry, Carvill, Bailie, BJ Burns, O'Kane, Allen, Addis, Tomelty, Garrett, Ervin, Mulgrew, McAllister, McHugh and Gallagher.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
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