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Cathcart back to boost the Greens

Friday, November 21, 2008, 07:00

ARGYLE loan signing Craig Cathcart has returned unscathed from international duty this week.

The Manchester United defender captained Northern Ireland under-21s as they won 3-1 away to Scotland in a friendly on Tuesday.

Cathcart, 19, took part in training with the rest of the Pilgrims' squad yesterday.

Northern Ireland's impressive victory over Scotland was televised on Sky and Argyle manager Paul Sturrock was among the viewers.

Cathcart (pictured left) has put in some fine performances for the Pilgrims recently, playing in the centre of defence with Marcel Seip, and Sturrock was relieved he did not pick up an injury against Scotland.

Sturrock said: "I cringed when he made the last three tackles, but he trained yesterday morning with no reaction."

Cathcart was an imposing figure in the Northern Ireland defence.

Sturrock said: "I watched the whole game and he was very competent – and he was captain as well."

Meanwhile, defender Krisztian Timar could return to the Argyle squad for the visit of Cardiff tomorrow.

The Hungarian centre-back has not been available for the last two matches because of a medial knee ligament injury.

Sturrock said: "Krisztian has come back in and trained. He has done some ball work yesterday, so we will wait and see how he is."

Should Timar be passed fit, he would give Sturrock extra defensive cover on the substitutes' bench.

Sturrock revealed left-back Chris Barker and striker Emile Mpenza had dropped out of training on Tuesday because of slight injuries.

But both of them took part in yesterday's session at Harper's Park.

However, another player is still nursing an injury from training on Tuesday, although Sturrock would not name him.

"I would rather keep that to myself," said the Pilgrims' boss. "Emile and Chris Barker had niggles earlier in the week but have come back into training."

One player definitely sidelined tomorrow is defender David McNamee, who suffered a thigh strain in the reserves' 5-0 defeat away to Bristol City on Tuesday.

McNamee had to be substituted shortly before half-time at Ashton Gate, when he was replaced by second-year apprentice Ryan Brett.

"It was a bit unfortunate because he was actually playing very well," said Sturrock.


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