7pm

One of this morning's tabloids reported that Northern Spirit midfielder Noel Spencer and former Livingston keeper Ian McCaldon are training at Fir Park this week.  Spencer (25) is a former Australian Olympic Under-23 international, and can play as a holding midfielder or at centre-half.  He has played 49 games for Northern Spirit, but currently has a break in his season because of a World Youth Championship qualifying tournament, and Terry Butcher has taken the chance to have a look at him with a view to a possible move when the transfer window reopens in January.

Meanwhile, 28-year-old Oxford goalkeeper Ian McCaldon is back at Fir Park after his initial trial period a fortnight ago.  His agent is quoted as saying:
"Both players are training there this week and it is an opportunity for Terry to have a good look at them."

Terry Butcher has withdrawn James McFadden from the Scotland Under-21 squad who were due to fly to Portugal in January to take part in a winter training camp.  Butcher feels the 19-year-old striker needs a rest, and decided not to let him travel after speaking to the Scotland manager:
"I spoke to Berti about James and told him I think the player needs to have a break from football for a couple of weeks and just enjoy the rest over the winter break.  James has been through quite a fair bit since the start of the season and it’s important he goes away during the break and gets a chance to relax without having to play any football.  Hopefully, the rest will do him in good and I’m confident he’ll come back better and hungrier.  Shaun Fagan has been placed on standby should anymore players pull out and we’re hopeful that he’ll manage to make the squad, although we have to wait and see what happens."

Although McFadden misses out, Butcher was delighted with Scotland Under-21 coach Rainer Bonhof's decision to include defender William Kinniburgh:
"I’m absolutely delighted for William. He’s already a great pro and a great kid and I’m just pleased that’s he’s playing at this football club."

Meanwhile, Terry Butcher has heaped praise upon goalkeeper Francois Dubourdeau following his display against Dundee last Saturday:
"Francois has done extremely well since coming in and it’s certainly good to have a bit of competition between him and Stevie (Woods).  Off the field the two of them are really good friends and Stevie has been a tremendous professional in the way he handled Francois taking his place.  He has done nothing but encourage him and his attitude has really been spot on.  Against Dundee Francois pulled off a number of good saves, but he’s been doing this since coming in and it’s good to see that he’s improving with every game."

For the Dunfermline game on Saturday, TB has both Stephen Pearson and David Partridge available again following suspension, while David Cowan and Khaled Kemas return from injury.  However, the game has come too quickly for Keith Lasley, and the midfielder may now make his comeback away to Livingston on the 29th.  Shaun Fagan is suspended for the Pars game.

Looking forward to Dunfermline's visit to Fir Park, Butcher added:
"All the players are looking forward to playing at home, especially after our last result here when we managed to beat Hearts 6-1.  Three out of our next four games over the Christmas and New Year period are at home, so it’s a real chance for us to try and get off the bottom of the table and start putting points on the board.  Since I came here we’ve never managed to get a decent result against Dunfermline and we really owe them something.  All the players are full of confidence just now and you can see it in training with the players who have come in, especially the younger guys, desperate to keep their place in the team.  From my point of view it’s a nice headache to have, although I will be forced to make some difficult decisions in terms of picking the team for the game on Saturday.  However, no matter who is picked, the players must go out and try to keep our recent good run going."

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