Linnets going for a Burton

Oct 2 2008 by Dave Bettley, Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

LINNETS manager Steve Wilkes was yesterday following up his interest in Runcorn Town’s player-assistant manager Simon Burton.

Having put in seven days’ notice on the Widnesian ex-Bamber Bridge centre forward, the Vodkat League club were expecting to speak to the player.

Linnets have already recruited Tom Baker, a holding midfield player with an eye for goal, from Welsh Premier outfit GAP Connah’s Quay Nomads – at the second attempt.

Wilkes said: “We tried to sign Tom in the summer but he had been at Connah’s Quay for a while and wanted to be faithful to them.

“He was their player of the year last year but got injured early in the season and hasn’t got back in.

“One or two clubs came in for him from the Welsh League but he didn’t want the travelling.

“He contacted me last week, came to watch us on Saturday and signed a form. He is one of those players who never even asked about money.”

Former Kendal Town defender Andy Leigh’s debut has been on ice because of a kidney infection but Wilkes was checking on the player’s condition ahead of last night’s scheduled Mid Cheshire Senior Cup visit of Congleton.

Utility man Brian Walsh, who broke a metatarsal at Winsford United last week, is likely to be out for a month instead of the anticipated six weeks.

“Brian went back to the hospital on Friday and the injury had healed to a degree,” explained Wilkes, who is likely to be without midfieldman Jay Edwards and centre back Tom Boden for two to three weeks and team skipper Steve Cunningham, recovering from a septic shin, for the longer term.

Fellow highly-rated central midfielder Nehru McKenzie ends his ban on Monday, October 13 but six-goal top scorer Michael Morrison is banned for Saturday’s FA Vase visit to Maine Road (ko 3pm)

The Chorlton-cum-Hardy side’s home form suggests a tight game is in prospect as they have won two and drawn two in the league at Brantingham Road, scoring five while conceding six.

“If we pay like we did against Bacup and at Winsford, I think we’ll do OK,” added Wilkes, due to take his team to Glossop North End on Wednesday.