Diamonds almost up to full strength
Aaron O'Connor will be in contention to make his first start of the season for Rushden & Diamonds at the weekend.
The striker completed an hour of yesterday's behind-closed-doors friendly against Peterborough reserves at Nene Park, having made his first appearance of the campaign as a late substitute in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at York City.
The frontman was a key figure during last season's run to the play-offs but has missed the early stages of the Blue Square Bet Premier campaign because of a thigh injury.
But boss Justin Edinburgh fully expects him to be in contention to start against new boys Newport County at Nene Park on Saturday.
And, in further good news, the Diamonds manager is hoping to have virtually a full-strength squad to choose from by the time his side visit Southport on Saturday week as Craig Farrell, Michael Corcoran and Shane Huke continue to make good progress after their respective injuries.
"Aaron got 60 minutes under his belt against Peterborough and he is in contention for the weekend now," Edinburgh said.
"It's a massive boost for us because he was a big player for us last season and it will certainly make a difference having him back.
"Having a friendly was a worthwhile exercise because Justin Miller and
Jamie Day both got 60 minutes on the pitch.
"Michael has taken part in most of the training over the last couple of days and I expect him to be involved again tomorrow.
"The weekend will come a bit too early for him but I am hopeful that both he and Craig Farrell and Shane Huke will be ready by the time we go to Southport.
"If that is the case then it will be the first time this season that we have had virtually a fully-fit squad available and that would be fantastic for us."
Edinburgh, meanwhile, is hoping his team will learn from their weekend defeat at Bootham Crescent.
"I never like to lose football matches so I was obviously disappointed," he added.
"The most disappointing thing is that in the three away games we have lost we have either been level or in front at half-time and we haven't gone on to close the games out to collect either one point or three.
"York will be up there this season. But they didn't really trouble us until a lapse in concentration.
"We have a young group of players and we will continue to learn game-by-game."
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Weather for Kettering
Monday 13 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: North west
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Cloudy
Temperature: 5 C to 7 C
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