Abbey goes Shrimping

United have offloaded Ben Abbey to third division Southend on a free transfer. Abbey, who joined from Crawley Town for £30,000 last season as a desperation measure, but only made a handful of substitution appearances, scored just the one goal, at home to Morecambe in the FA Cup. It was clear from his games for the reserves that, despite a lot of application, Abbey wasn't up to the required standard (like most of his colleagues, in fact) and his departure will hopefully release some further funds for squad strengthening when United eventually gets a permanent manager.

Reading between the lines

Mike Ford is to make three changes from Tuesday's starting line-up for tomorrow's game at Reading, who could go top after they beat United. Definitely out is Jon Shepheard, who had to go off with a hamstring injury at the start of the second half, but it remains to be seen whether or not Rob Folland will get a game or if Dean Whitehead will return to the side after serving his one-match suspension.

Further speculation

The latest names to be linked with the United manager's job both have links with Leicester City, but sadly do not include Matty Elliott or Phil Gilchrist. One is Tony Cottee, currently on loan at Nottingham Forest, who has expressed an interest in taking on a player-manager role, and the other is Kidlington boy Garry Parker, who is currently coaching at Filbert Street. Wimbledon's Robbie Earle, who was seen up the Manor on Tuesday, has also been mentioned in connection with the vacant post. The Rage On editors, who were also up the Manor on Tuesday, have not been mentioned (yet).