Courtenay's double blow

Boro's Mark Summerbell is a United target

John Courtenay has suffered a double blow today with the news that tomorrow's home game with Cheltenham has been called off because of the weather and speculation that the final completion of the takeover may be delayed yet again.

Persistent bad weather has forced the postponement of Saturday's clash with the Robins. The pitch, which has already suffered two hammerings this week has been sodden and the game was called off just after 1pm this afternoon after an early inspection.

It is a blow to Courtenay who had hoped to see a bumper crowd of over 6,000 after the news that he had completed formalities with Michael Knighton and was planning to sign the final papers before the media on Monday at Brunton Park.

But now the club say that press conference may not take place as scheduled. Details of time and place have yet to be confirmed and there may be a further frustrating delay for the millionaire businessman from Dublin who was planning to pay off the outstanding PFA loan immediately so that Roddy Collins could start signing players again.

Top of his shopping list is understood to be Middlesbrough midfielder Mark Summerbell, who has made 58 Premiership appearances for the Riverside club. However he has been out of the picture since Bryan Robson relinquished the reins midway through last season and has not played since November 2000.

If Summerbell does make the move to Brunton Park, it will be initially on loan with a view to a permanent deal at the end of the season.

Collins's other target is Blackburn teenager Ryan Hevicon. Club scout Barry Robinson is very impressed with Hevicon's ability and United hope the talented youngster can be persuaded to come north with a promise of regular first-team football. He plays on the left side of midfield and has been a regular in Rovers' youth side this season.

Robinson said: "I watched him against Stoke and Coventry and he was brilliant. He is very highly rated and has done really well, but first-team opportunities are limited because of the likes of Matt Jansen at Blackburn. He can take three players out of the game with one move and has bags of pace. A lot of other clubs have come in for him, but we are still at the front of the queue. We will make a lot of money off this boy because he will put bums on seats, in my opinion."

Picture from News & Star