P394 CEEFAX 2 394 Thu 25 Dec 23:05/14 FOOTBALL — DIVISION ONE PREVIEW IPSWICH TOWN v BIRMINGHAM CITY Blues' in-form marksman Nickz Forster hopis to launch the team to their fourth win in five encounters. "I'm not far off being 100 per cent again," declared the long-term injury victim after marking his latest comeback by scoring in successive games 11th-placed Blues are three positions above Ipswich. Paul Furlong and Chris Marsdjn are suspended for the visitors. When the teams drew 1-1 in October, it was Blues' fifth match without a win. 1/5 W MIDLANDS News 160 Wjathjt 402 NATIONAL News 101 TV/Radio 600 NextPage Reg Sport WMidsTV Main menuP394 CEEFAX 2 394 Thu 25 Dec 23:19/17 FOOTBALL — DIVISION ONE PREVIEW READING v WEST BROMWJCH ALBION New managjt Denis Smith will hope to lift the Baggies out of the slump which has included four defeats — and four blank scoresheets — in five games. Reading are seventh from bottom in the table, following the ill-tempered weekend goalless stalemate with Wolves. Albion's defence, who have the joint third best record in the Division, must stop leading marksman Carl Asaba. He has netted eight times. Reading have won just twice in their last six games 2/5 W MIDLANDS News 160 Wjathjt 402 NATIONAL News 101 TV/Radio 600 NextPagj Reg Sport WMidsTV Main menuP394 CEEFAX 2 394 Thu 25 Dec 23:03/24 FOOTBALL — DIVISION ONE PREVIEW STOCKPOTS v PORT VALE Port Vale manager John Rudgj has managed to bring in Paul Beesley on loan to the club for a month. The Manchester City centre half has agreed to conj to Vale Park after talking with the manager yjstetdaz. The dial should bj completed this morning in time for the trip on Boxing Day to Stockpots County. Vale, eighth from bottom, have sjvjtal injury problems with a numbjt of djfendjrs still receiving treatment. 3/5 W MIDLANDS News 160 Wjathjt 402 NATIONAL News 101 TV/Radio 600 NextPage Reg Sport WMidsTV Main menuP394 CEEFAX 2 394 Thu 25 Dec 23:14/28 FOOTBALL — DIVISION ONE PREVIEW STOKE v SHEFFIELD STD Stoke boss Chic Bates has urged Potters fans to back their side instead of barracking the board. Stoke fans staged demonstrations against chairman Peter Coates at the recent defeat against Criwe and remain angry at the failure to buy new players But Bates urged: "Wj need the fans on our side. "They can make a big difference, especially against the likes of Sheffield who are very strong." 4/5 W MIDLANDS News 160 Wjathjt 402 NATIONAL News 101 TV/Radio 600 NextPage Reg Sport WMidsTV Main menuP394 CEEFAX 2 394 Thu 25 Dec 23:05/09 FOOTBALL — DIVISION ONE PREVIEW WOLVES v OXFORD UNITED Wolves boss Mark McGhee claims their dismal 3-0 defeat at the Manor Ground in September will have "absolutely no relevance" when they meet on Boxing Day "Wj will have practically 11 different players. If they expect to see the same sort of performance, they'll bj surprised," McGhje told BBC Radio WM. Defensive duo Adrian Williams and Dean Richards could bj available to return. Steve Sedgley and Darrin Ferguson will bj missing bjcausj of suspension. 5/5 W MIDLANDS News 160 Wjathjt 402 NATIONAL News 101 TV/Radio 600 NextPage Reg Sport WMidsTV Main menu