Vodkat Premier

by Chris Harper

NEWCASTLE Town have high hopes of David Foy now the winger is showing signs of regaining fitness.

The Liverpool lad has played little for Castle since signing from St Helens Town two years ago, but has made an early impression in pre-season.

Foy scored a great goal which helped to sink Stoke City and could be a ready-made replacement for Richard Minor, who seems destined to join Kidsgrove when he recovers from a cartilage operation.

Manager Greg Clowes said: "David has not played for about 18 months. First he had appendicitis, then knee problems that kept him out all last season. But if he can get his head down and get fit he will be a player for us."

Clowes is quite happy with his squad, although midfielder Ashley Hill, a former trainee at Port Vale, has left for Stafford Rangers.

Clowes said: "Ashley agreed terms with us, but then decided to give it a go with Rangers. He felt it was a good opportunity for him, but the door will still be open to him here."

Two Hanley Town players, Michael Morton and Rob Wade, and two from Wolstanton United, Peter Ford and Nick Jones, have moved to Lyme Valley, and Clowes added: "I have players who will put the first-team lads under pressure for their places."

And Castle are planning to cut out the luxury travel to most away games by going in cars.

Clowes said: "We have to look to cut expenses and going by coach can be a disadvantage as well as costly.

"If you turn up at places like Flixton in style they think straightaway 'the big boys are in town' which makes the game harder even before we step off the coach."