Ghost ruled out

"The lord giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other". The first words of Ralph Miller's final press conference before the game. He was referring to the final changes before tonight's clash with Varndean Academicals. "Tom Stewart is back in the squad, but John Marshall is not".

Marshall, who has been spotted partying for much of the past few days at a dance festival near Winchester, was not included in Miller's final squad. "I'm not talking about the reasons for John's exclusion" said Miller, "All I'll say is that John wants to apologise to the fans for missing this game and that he is close to exhaustion".

"We tried in vain to get a few last minute replacements, but we'll have to play with 6".

It is thought Miller, who had already secured the late signing of Kieran Hill, was pulling the same strings to secure the signing of former Maccas defender Clark Leake-Lyall, although it appears that the deal will not go through. Sam Doctors, another possible replacement, has failed a late fitness test.

Miller explained that John's absence means the Ghosts will not be able to try the rotating defence/offence unit tactic previewed in training this week.

The final squad:

Rob Gill

Tom Stewart

Ralph Miller

Rob Edmonds

Kieran Hill

Brett Crossingham (c)