Green Returns but Williams Out

Last updated : 01 August 2003 By Andy Beill
Williams is suffering from a virus, and is highly unlikely to take part in the opening game of the season a week tomorrow.

Manager Peter Taylor revealed: "Ryan wasn't feeling too well after the Ferriby game. He only played 45 minutes which was the plan anyway.
"Then all of a sudden we thought he'd got tonsillitis. Then, from what we understand, the infection seemed to spread to the rest of his body. We're in the dark at the moment but he's still in hospital and we feel it's going to be a matter of weeks before he plays again."

He added: "We just wish him a speedy recovery although we should know more about the problem in the next few days."

Midfielder Stuart Green has fully recovered from a hamstring injury and will play some part in tonight's match against Leeds United, but former-Leeds striker Jamie Forrester is still out with a foot injury. He's hoping to be fit for the season kick-off against Darlington.

Two players who won't play against the Quakers are Andy Dawson (knee) and John Anderson (foot), but Taylor reveals that they're on their way back.

He said: "Andy was due to start light running today so he's getting there. The swelling has gone down and it's less painful. It wouldn't surprise me that once the season starts, he's back in two weeks.
"John's having X-rays which will show how he's progressing. He's struggling for the first game but he's feeling pretty confident in himself. Again, he should be okay for just after the start of the season."

Taylor is expected to name the same side that narrowly lost to Middlesbrough for the visit of Leeds this evening. Over 15,000 tickets have been sold for the match, and fans can also pay at the turnstiles. There will be a heavy police presence inside and outside the KC Stadium due to fears of hooliganism. A court order to block alcohol being sold in the city was rejected.

Leeds include Hull-born Nick Barmby in their squad, as well as forward Simon Johnson who played 12 games for City during a loan spell last season. Dominic Matteo and Michael Bridges return from injury, while international players such as Mark Viduka, Alan Smith, Nigel Martyn, Ian Harte, Gary Kelly, Jason Wilcox, David Batty and Stephen McPhail are also in Peter Reid's squad.

Expected line-up (4-4-2): Fettis; Thelwell, Hinds, Joseph, Delaney; Price, Ashbee, Appleby, Elliott; Allsopp, Burgess.
Subs from: Musselwhite, Whittle, Smith, Holt, Burton, Regan, Peat, Melton, Keates, Fry, Green, Donaldson, Webb.