Reserves bashed

United's reserve team lost 4-1 in a friendly against Reading at Didcot this afternoon. United's goal was scored by Dexter Blackstock. The game was called in order to give Steve Basham some extra match fitness, but was a bit of a damp squib from that point of view as Bash failed to play, following a dead leg that he received at Carlisle on Saturday. It is anticipated that he will be on the bench on Wednesday for the Villa game.

Worse news for United is that Bobby Ford will definitely not be fit enough for selection on Wednesday, but if he reacts well to an injection he may well feature on Saturday against Rochdale. Meanwhile Ian McCaldon has returned to the squad at the end of his month's loan to Chester, where he played twice.