Matt Holland is said this morning to be over the worst effects of his virus and will be ready for his 7894th consecutive appearance for the Blues on Saturday. It is not yet clear whether Mark Venus is back to full health.

Despite getting a red card in a Celtic U21 match on Monday Mark Burchill, Town's will be OK to make his Town debut against Everton. The Scot received his first card of any colour when he was sent off against Dundee United for foul and abusive language in a 3-0 loss. Sounds a bit of a stormy affair as Colin Healy was sent off a few minutes later and Martin O'Neill was warned about his conduct.

Definitely out are Marcus Stewart for his red card and Richard Naylor with a knee problem. Worries centre around Hermann Hreidarsson (hamstring) and Alun Armstrong (back)

Town's reserves drew 1-1 at Charlton last night. Sam Chapman sent this report, thanks Sam:

A very young and inexperienced Town side lined up against what was a very strong Charlton side containing Kiely, Hunt, Brown and Salako. Town lined up with Branagan in goal, 3 centre backs in Miller, Moffat and Wayne Brown, 2 wing backs in Artun and Amir Karic, a midfield of Ashley Nichols, Ian Westlake and Nabil Abidallah with Logan and Bent up front.

Town were at first looking overawed in playing against such experienced players, but soon settled into there stride, with Darren Bent causing untold problems up front and giving Steve Brown a torrid time with his pace generally unsettling Charlton’s back line, it came as a bit of a surprise when after 10 minutes Charlton took the lead through Andy Hunt, Town lost the ball in the Charlton half and with Karic being caught out of position Shaun Newton slid a pass along the Town six yard line which Brown missed but Andy Hunt tucked in to make it 1-0.

Town then got into gear with Abidallah providing some nice touches, but was generally bypassed by other Town players and generally didn't get enough of the ball to dictate the game. He did come close with 2 shots from 20 yards which only just went over the bar. Town's best chance of the first half fell to Darren Bent who was left unmarked at the back post by a beautiful Karic cross, somehow Charlton keeper Martin Brennan (coming on for the injured Dean Kiely after 22 minutes) managed to stop from going in the far corner, though Darren Bent will be upset that he even gave the keeper a chance.

The second half was livened up by the sending off of Charlton player Anthony Allman for a professional foul on Darren Bent who had taken the ball past one Charlton defender and had just passed Allman and was on to goal when he tripped him, the referee had no hesitation to send Allman off. The resulting free kick was deflected over the bar.

Town looking lightweight in the midfield by not giving the ball to Abidallah and when they did not giving him many options. Darren Bent was replaced midway through the 2nd half by Steve Burton, Bent looks a real prospect he has pace and was not frightened by what was a decent Charlton back line, definitely one to look out for in a year or two.

Town's equaliser came with 10 minutes left, an Abidallah free kick was whipped into the 6 yard box were 2nd half substitute Lee Beevers headed home. Town probably didn't deserve to win but with a very young team playing can take great heart from what was a very good performance, generally Town didn't give Charlton many chances, the few they did get in the 2nd half all came from Branagan errors, Karic looked off the pace for most of the game, Abidallah wasn't given enough of the ball to direct play. Town's best player was probably Darren Bent whose pace was giving Charlton too many problems.

At present we have a good bunch of youngsters coming through we will not see much of them in the first team for another year at the moment

Town's FA Youth Cup quarter-final with Nottingham Forest has been set for Wednesday March 14th (KO 7pm). Our lads overcame Sheffield United 4-2 after a replay in the last round having previously beaten Leicester and then Crystal Palace.

Forest beat Manchester United on penalties in the last round and are no slouches themselves.

Philip Houseley has spoken about his resignation announced yesterday. He says he will see the Bobby Robson statue, the final part of the Supporters' Club Millennium Project, completed and then step down.

He cites a new work project as amongst his reasons for stepping down from the position he has held for 15 years. He said: "I will still be going along to matches and supporting the team, but I will keep a lower profile. That is only fair on the new Supporters' Club chairman."

Members of the Supporters' Club, which these days includes everyone with a Portman Plus card, will not get to vote on the new Chairman. This will be voted on by just the management committee who are already discussing successors.

Oddly we're told by sources close to the Supporters' Club that Philip Houseley announced that he was stepping down back in October at a meeting where he was re-elected, but the news only seems to have got to the rest of us now.

Photo: Action Images

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