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Fullbacks fighting to be fit for trip to Brighton

FC United full-backs Kyle Jacobs and Lee Neville are fighting to be fit for the Reds’ FA Cup sponsored by E.ON second round match against Brighton & Hove Albion as manager Karl Marginson eyes his and the club’s biggest achievement ever.

With forward Ben Deegan successfully coming through 45 minutes against Ashton United in the League Challenge Cup on Monday night, Jacobs and Neville are the only other two short-term injury absentees but both players may feature in tonight’s friendly at Irlam.

Margy will use Thursday’s charity match to give his full squad a run out and he is hopeful that both his regular full-backs will be able to take part allowing him and the club physiotherapists to make a more informed decision about their fitness ahead of Saturday’s trip to the south coast to take on the League One leaders.

‘Enjoyment’ was Margy’s word of the first round proper as he urged all his players not to be daunted by the occasion and it’s the same again this time. He said: “We know we are potentially 90 minutes away from what would be an enormous achievement and the lads just need to go out there, forget any worries and perform.

“It would be the proudest achievement in my career but it’s not just for me, it would be an enormous achievement for everyone connected with the club. To go from nothing five years ago to be knocking on the door of the third round of the FA Cup is absolutely fantastic. We should all be very proud.???

Margy is fully aware of the issues supporters have faced with FC United’s ticket allocation at the Withdean Stadium being reduced to 845 and as a firm believer that the crowd can be the 12th man, he knows that the travelling Red army would prefer to be closer to the pitch to cheer the team on than the West Stand allows.

However, Margy said: “Everyone is going to have to sing even louder. I know for a fact that 800 FC United fans can make the noise of 8,000 people so I hope everyone enjoys their day, gets behind the team and we’ll be doing our upmost to reward them with the performance they deserve on the pitch.???


First Posted ~ 10:11 Sun 28 Nov 2010
News ID ~ 3253
Last Updated ~ 01:52 Tue 16 Feb 2021