It has been a torrid season for striker, Martin Paterson. Pato has been out injured for most of 2010-11 with a perisistent thigh injury and he must be sick of the site of Doncaster Rovers by now as well!
He first picked up the injury back in November last year during our home game against Doncaster Rovers and had to be substituted at half-time.
Paterson did not play again until January this year when he came on as a 73rd minute substitute in our FA Cup 4th round clash against Burton Albion at Turf Moor. It was double joy at the time for Pato, not only had he appeared to have fully recovered from injury but he also scored our third goal helping his side secure a 3-1 victory.
The joy was not to last though. In the very next game, he again came on as a substitute, this time in the 71st minute against Doncaster Rovers (Again!!) at the Keepmoat.
Sadly for Pato, with ten minutes to go, he pulled up and everybody feared the worse. It was later confirmed he had a slight tear in his thigh muscle and would not be expected to play again this season.
Pato though has made steady progress and has now fully recovered so much so he has been named in the Reserves starting eleven for tonight’s crucial clash against the Preston North End second-string at Turf Moor (Kick-Off 7pm)
The Official Site also seem bullish that we could see Pato in action in the first team before the end of the season.
We have just two fixtures remaining against Leeds United at Elland Road this Saturday followed by our final match against Cardiff at home a week later.
It would be good to see Pato back in the first team, many fans (including your editor) believe we have missed his style of play and influence up front this season.
Good luck Pato for tonight and here’s hoping you can still play a part in the first team this season and help us reach the play-offs.
A victory in the Reserves clash against Preston tonight is essential if we are to stand any chance of becoming champions of the totesport.com league (West). Burnley in second spot are one point behind leaders Preston but have played a game more.
This will be the Clarets final game of the season tonight but Preston will still win the title if they can beat Accrington Stanley in their last game to be played next Monday night.
It has of course not been a good season for the Preston first team following their confirmed relegation to League 1 on Easter Monday so can the Clarets make it a double whammy of misery for the Lilywhites and become champions of the Reserves league?
They will certainly have a stong team out on the pitch tonight. In addition to Pato, the team will also include first-team squad members, Marvin Bartley playing his first competitive game following a three-match suspension, Brian Easton, David Edgar and Wes Fletcher.
The full line up is as follows:
Cook, Kudiersky, Easton, Edgar, C.Lynch, Bartley, Beadle, Knowles, Fletcher, Paterson
Subs: Mawson, Wilson, Hewitt, McCartan, Love, McKee, Anderson
Admission for tonight’s game is free for season ticket holders or otherwise £4 for adults (£2 concessions)
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