Hale not yet ready for return
By Adam Summers

Thursday 2nd September 2010

THE Terras’ hopes of enticing ex-player-boss Matty Hale back to the club as a replacement for injured skipper Simon Radcliffe remain on a knife-edge.

Radcliffe, who is struggling with a hernia and an Achilles injury, is to be taken out of the firing line for at least a fortnight by Weymouth boss Ian Hutchinson, who is now desperate to bolster his left-sided options ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Leamington.

Hale, a player of huge experience, appeared to be the perfect candidate to fill the void but the ex-Bristol City full-back is not sure what reaction he would get from the Zamaretto Premier Division outfit’s fans after he resigned as manager back in October last year.

Hutchinson, who took over the reins at the Terras from Hale after previously being his assistant, said: “I have tried to entice Matty back but he does not feel ready just yet, which is a shame because we are bit short down the left-hand side.

“I totally understand his decision and for the moment we will just keep in touch, as who knows, the situation might change a bit further down the line.”

Echosport contacted Hale yesterday, and he added: “Work is a stumbling block as I have now changed jobs a little bit and that could cause a problem. But to be truthful, having been at the club before I have got to make sure it would be right.

“I need to make sure the feeling would be right, and to be honest at the moment it is a difficult one to get my head around.

“I love the club down there but I do not live there or read the local newspaper or websites, so I am not sure what the feeling would be.

"Hutch said it would be great but I am not sure of that and it is that bit of uncertainty that is stopping me from doing it more than anything else.

“I need to really think about it all and if Hutch gets someone else in, in the meantime, then that is fine because he has to do what is best for the club.”

Hutchinson went out on a scouting mission last night but refused to name the left-sided player he took a look at.

However, he did comment on Radcliffe’s withdrawal from action.

He said: “Simon has been playing with an injury since the start of the season but he is one of the old breed and wanted to play through it.

“Unfortunately, it has been there for all to see that he has not been the same player we know, so I have had a chat with him, and he needs to be taken out of the firing line for a while.

“In the long-term it is the right thing to do and Simon has taken the news like a true professional.

“He will be out for a minimum of two weeks but that might go up to five or six, and that is why we need to strengthen that area.”

When asked who would take over the role of captain on the pitch in Rad-cliffe’s absence, Hutchinson added: “We will continue to think about that and make a decision before the weekend.”