Trio's fitness fight

8:26am Friday 21st March 2008

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MIDFIELD trio Marcus Brown-ing, Paolo Vernazza and Nick Crittenden are all doubts for Weymouth this Easter weekend.

The Terras lifted themselves out of the Blue Square Premier bottom four with a 2-2 draw at Northwich Victoria on Tuesday but with tomorrow's trip to high-flying Cambridge United being their third away game in seven days the heavy schedule is clearly having an impact.

Weymouth will also entertain play-off contenders Exeter City on Monday so Hollins clearly has a lot to think about in terms of team selection.

He said: "We are in the middle of a very busy period and it is taking its toll in terms of a few knocks and tweaks.

"I think that showed in the first half against Northwich which was very slow. We then clicked into gear in the second half so it is in us, but there is no doubt that everyone needs to be ready when called upon.

"Dave Roberts came on against Burton Albion last Sunday when Stephen Henderson had to come off and was really on song and it is important the rest of the players in the squad are the same."

Commenting on the fitness of Browning, Vernazza and Crittenden, Hollins added: "Marcus has done a lot of good work on his Achilles but we have to bring him along slowly. Everyone saw how he broke down and we do not want that happening again so we won't be taking any unnecessary risks with him.

"Nick came on against Northwich but he is still not 100 per cent. He was ill for a few days and has lost around five or six pounds in weight, which is a lot. He knows he now needs to build himself back up again and get some fitness under him.

"As for Paolo, he came off on Tuesday feeling a tweak in his groin. He has been non-stop in recent weeks and perhaps that was one game too far but you never know that until you get out there, so he is also a doubt for tomorrow."

One positive for Weymouth fans is that new loan signing Matthew Bailey will be included in the Terras' squad. His arrival has coincided with Magnus Okuonghae's return to parent club Dagenham & Redbridge.

Hollins said: "Magnus suffered a shoulder injury so he has gone back and Matthew has come in.

"Matthew is 6ft 4in tall and is a big, powerful lad who I first watched when he was at Stockport County. Crewe Alexandra boss Dario O'Gradi has since changed him from a centre forward to a centre back, so he has got a dual-purpose and it will be interesting to see how he does for us."

The U's, who currently sit second in the table, have held an Indian sign over the Terras at the Abbey Stadium in recent times, thrashing them 7-0 at home last season in the league and beating them 1-0 in the second round of the FA Cup just before Christmas.

But Hollins is not concerned about past encounters, he added: "Cambridge possess a great pitch so there will be no excuses.

"The fact they lost against Crawley Town on Tuesday means they will be really up for it. But every game is difficult at the moment because most teams are in need of the points, whether it is to move away from relegation or to gain a place in the play-offs.

"We have to make sure we continue to work hard and keep fighting right up to the final whistle of each game we play."

Hollins' number two Alan Lewer will be particularly looking forward to the encounter having left the U's for the Wessex Stadium at the end of January.