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Ryton v FC Halifax Town: Barras back for Shaymen
SKIPPER Tony Barras is expected to make his first competitive start for FC Halifax Town in tomorrow's FA Cup first qualifying round clash with Northern League Ryton on Tyneside (3.0).
The 37-year-old central defender has recovered from keyhole surgery on a knee injury sustained in pre-season.
And manager Jim Vince is clearly looking forward to his return.
"Tony should be ready for tomorrow," said Vince. "The team needs its skipper and his leadership qualities.
"He is experienced, he is calm and, quite rightly, the players look up to him."
Vince, who has released right back Tom Harban, is also hoping to have Craig Smith available.
The player was forced to pull out of Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Mossley after suffering an injury in the warm-up.
Town will have to improve on Tuesday's dismal display at Seel Park if they are to make further progress in the FA Cup.
And Vince has repeated his vow to make changes to his squad, with the possibility of players arriving on loan up to teatime today.
"All the players I have brought here are good players and the team will evolve," he said.
"But I have been surprised by some of the players' performance levels.
"Previously they have done well for the clubs they have played for.
"But they have come to Halifax and not performed.
"There must be a reason but I don't know what that is.
"In this situation you either persevere or make changes - and there will be changes."
Changes or not, Vince expects his side to be in the draw for the second qualifying round after tomorrow's game.
But he has warned his players not to take Ryton, who have already won at Morpeth and Billingham Synthonia in this season's competition, lightly and risk any kind of cup upset.
"We are Halifax Town, in an FA Cup tie against lower ranked opposition," said Vince.
"But as Silsden showed in the last round there are no freebies in this competition.
"I can go expecting to win the game and the fans can go expecting to win the game but the players can't. They have to go there and do what they should be doing.
FC Halifax Town (from): Kennedy, Adams, Barras, Payne, King, C Smith, Moore, J Smith, Walker, Morning, Stott, Jemson, HInsley, Senior.
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
