Championship side Derby County play the first of a three match tour of the West Country tonight with a pre-season friendly against Yeovil Town. The Rams will be moving on to play Torquay United on Thursday and Exeter City on Saturday and have taken a 20 man squad as part of the trip, with plans to rotate the squad over the course of the three matches.
They leave behind three senior players, with Rob Hulse (groin), Dean Leacock (groin) and Kris Commons (hamstring) set to spend their time in the physio room whilst manager Nigel Clough oversees the form of his other players. Paul Green though will travel despite coming off with an ankle injury in their match against Chesterfield on Saturday. Striker Chris Porter is also fit to travel despite missing their weekend game, and Clough hopes that he will play tonight:
"Chris was left out as a precaution – we will not be taking any chances with any of the players – but if he is OK, he will play against Yeovil tonight."
In terms of the Glovers, whilst we can't rule out the possibility of further trialists to confuse us all in tonight's game, left-back Nathan Smith (hernia operation) and Andre McCollin (shoulder) would appear to be the most likely absentees. Thinking over the weekend was that Scott Murray (knee) and Aidan Downes (illness) would be fit enough to take to the field tonight. Trialist keeper Richard Martin seems likely to play a full 90 minutes, given that Skivo's other target Nikki Bull won't come off Aldershot's books until the end of the month.
Martin is one of two trialists who manager Terry Skiverton has been the most positive about, suggesting that he would like to see him offered a contract with the Glovers. The other is former Aston Villa striker Sam Williams, who the home crowd should catch first sight of tonight. Skiverton told BBC Somerset that as far as he is concerned Williams is still on trial and that he will be continuing to monitor him:
"Sam does interest me, but he's a young lad and he's got a lot to work on. He's done well so far, but with these things you don't want it to be a flash in the pan and for someone to just have a good couple of days training under their belts. You want to see them for a week or two and Sam will be no different. I'll be looking at him and monitoring him. I know his agent quite well so if there is a chance of doing something then I wouldn't see any problem in doing something."
Tickets for tonight's game will be available from the Huish Park Ticket Office right up until kick-off. Prices are £10.00 for Adults, whilst Seniors and Young Adults (16-21 years old) can gain admission for £5.00. Meanwhile those aged Under 16 can get in for just £1.00.
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21 July 2009 : 
