Clues Over Squad Numbers

Last updated : 07 July 2005 By Andy Beill
Pre-season training began yesterday, and almost all players seemed to be wearing training kits that correspond to what their team shirts will show.

Steve McPhee had the number 10 on his kit, the number vacated when Danny Allsopp made his move to Melbourne Victory.

Jon Walters' number 11 shirt has gone to midfielder Curtis Woodhouse, signed from Peterborough.

Alton Thelwell - out-of-contract but training with the squad over pre-season - now has number 20, with new signing Mark Lynch getting his number 2 shirt.

The other new signings Keith Andrews and Sergio Leite wore 17 and 31 respectively.

Russell Fry wore 28 instead of 34, while Ben Burgess had a number 23 top, but it is thought he will keep the number 9. All other players kept the same squad number as last season.

If numbers 1 to 11 are to be assumed as Peter Taylor's first eleven, that would see Boaz Myhill retaining his place in goal, with Mark Lynch, Andy Dawson, Marc Joseph and Leon Cort in defence. Ian Ashbee, Curtis Woodhouse and Stuart Elliott go in midfield, Steve McPhee and Ben Burgess up front, and Nick Barmby also featuring somewhere in the starting line-up. However, not much can be read into this as Taylor has never fielded a 1 to 11 line-up for a competitive game.

The 2005/06 squad numbers are expected to be officially confirmed by the club any day now.