Nugent boost for FC

Stuart Brennan

8/ 9/2008

FC UNITED received a huge fillip ahead of tomorrow night’s league clash at Prescot Cables, with news that talisman Rob Nugent will soon be back in action.

The defender is the only survivor from the Rebels’ first-ever game at Leigh over three years ago, but has missed the start of the season with a knee problem.

The ex-Sheffield United man (pictured) was today expected to get the all-clear from the surgeon to resume full training, but manager Karl Marginson is not expecting to rush him back into the team, with Adam Turner having served a suspension and available to play on Merseyside.

But Marginson is keen to get Nugent back involved as soon as possible. He says: “As well as being a good defender, Rob has the experience of being here from the start.

“He has the club in his blood, having been on the picket lines when Malcolm Glazer took over at Old Trafford. It means more to him than to some of the other players.”

Dave Neville will also be available after his ban expired on Saturday, despite the home game with Eastwood Town being postponed, and the blank date gave top scorer Kyle Wilson chance to rest an ankle knock.

The Rebels’ first team took advantage of the waterlogged pitch to go and watch professional boxer Matthew Hall – a regular at FC games and close friend of players Neville and Tunji Moses – rack up a knockout victory at the Manchester Evening News Arena.