Taylor Playing It Safe

Last updated : 18 February 2004 By Andy Beill

Although the midfielder has returned to training after an achilles tendon injury, the threat that he could aggrevate it by playing on Saturday worries Taylor.

He pondered: "There might be a temptation to bring Ian back because he's a very important player for us.

"But you've got to balance that against the fact if he played and then aggravated the problem, we might not see him again for a couple of months.

"You've got to be very careful with Achilles' injuries. If Saturday was the last game of the season - and we needed a point to go up - then it would be worth the risk if he's only 60 or 70 per cent.

"But we've got 15 matches to go and we need him to play in as many of those games as possible.

"It might be that he misses the Torquay game and is then okay for Lincoln the Saturday after. We'll have to wait and see."

Richard Hinds or Lee Marshall could deputise in central midfield, while Alton Thelwell is on course for a comeback in defence.

Jason Price will still be out, while Danny Allsopp could also an injury doubt. Ryan France is set for a return in Price's place on the wing, while Jon Walters or Jamie Forrester could replace Allsopp if he doesn't recover.