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Boss pleads patience

5/ 1/2005

OLDHAM coach Gary Mercer says he cannot wait for the club's warm-up games, starting next Sunday at Rochdale Hornets.

The Kiwi welcomed 23-year-old half-back Marty Turner from Christchurch this week and plans to plunge him straight into action at Spotland.

He said: "I've no idea how many players will be able to play at Rochdale but I want to use as many as possible.

"It's my first chance to have a proper look and for every player to stake their claim.

"The starting line-up will also be different for the games at Leeds (January 21) and Halifax (January 30) to allow me to do that."

Cook islanders Carlos Mataora and Tere Glassie will arrive later in the month, by which time the squad will also have had a three-day out-of-town training camp.

Mercer said: "Things have been a bit rushed but all I ask is that people are patient with us.

"It's a whole new team we have put together and it will take time for them to gel."