Despite their great form as of late, Bishop’s Cleeve face a tough prospect for Saturday’s game as they have lost two players and have availability doubts with another.
The Mitres manager, Paul Collicut confirmed when we spoke on Monday that; Key defender Joe Jeremiah has departed for Eastern Suburbs AFC in New Zealand, veteran midfielder Lorcan Sheehan, as well as midfield Kia Newman being in doubt for Saturday’s game.
Despite this Collicut is excited for the future of the squad “I’m hoping to bring in two if not three (new players) on board”, although the former Evesham manager didn’t give away any clues about who those players may be.
Joe Jeremiah moved back to New Zealand yesterday, the country of his birth, after he was invited to play in the southern hemisphere as he aims to secure a spot for the Young All Whites at the U20 World Cup in Indonesia.
The former Forest Green Scholar has spoken to both Kiwi Darren Bazeley, who is the head coach for the U20 side, as well as his now new manager Kane Wintersgill who helped him establish what his role would be in the squad.
On Tuesday Collicut was still uncertain with Kai Newman as “he’s in the prospect on changing his job, so there may be an availability (issue)” as of then the Mitres’ manager had yet to speak with Newman but was expecting a call later in order to confirm the whether Collicut would have the option to play him against Willand Rovers in a few days.
Onto more positive news for Cleeve fans, there’s a possibility that Leroy Odiero “will be available in the next week or two” despite “not kicking a ball all season”, as Collicutt confirms he was expected to be at last night’s training.
Odiero will be a welcome addition to the former Cheltenham Town captain’s squad, as not the departure of Jeremiah, only compounded his issues with keeping a consistent backline, as they’ve been hampered by injuries throughout.
Linden Dovey only managed to return in November after an injury kept him out for the beginning of the season. While Shayne Anson remains out since mid-October after suffering a knee injury that eventually required surgery. It’s possible this will keep him side-lined for the rest of the season.
As well as departure of Jeremiah, Lorcan Sheehan is also moving on from the club to join the Worcester City FC. Sheehan made 13 appearances for Cleeve in his second spell at the club, after joining them earlier this season.
Worcester manager Chris Corners spoke to the Worcester City FC website and is thrilled that they managed to secure the player. “He will give us some much-needed bite in the middle of the pitch and his organisational skills will help us no end.”
“He is a brilliant signing for the Club and one I am absolutely delighted to get done from a league above.” Concluded the manager.
Sheehan could make his debut for Worcester on Saturday against Studley, while the aforementioned Bishop’s Cleeve will host Willand at Kayte Lane.
