Boss cautious with his midielder enforcer ahead of the new season

Abdul Osman could return to face a Manchester United XI this evening after missing the club’s latest pre-season friendly against Aston Villa on Friday night. The combative midfielder, who has captained the club on occasions through pre-season missed the 5-1 defeat due to a knock on his ankle and will only play a part tonight if he is 100% fit.

Osman’s place against Aston Villa went to youngster Ollie Turton, who partnered the club’s most recent signing Anthony Grant in the centre of midfield.

“Abdul should be back soon and I’m sure he would have a made difference to us in midfield against Aston Villa. We missed his experience and competitiveness in there, ‘ says Abdul.

“Young Ollie worked hard but like a lot of them he failed to make an impact with the ball in that first half. We would have approached the game differently if it had been a competitive game because we tried to play our own way in that first half.

“I thought we treated it more of a friendly than Aston Villa did and that was my fault. I wanted the lads to get through it and not pick up too many injuries.

“We got them in at half-time and I told them they were bang up for this. They had kicked one or two of our lads up in the air and we had to be more competitive. I thought we did that a lot better in the second half.

“Abdul would have certainly made a difference to us with his presence and physical approach to the game. He has ability as well and is a leader by example for us.”