Ray could be on bench

RAY BLONDEL could be on the subs bench for Vale Rec when they take on Rangers in the Priaulx League at the Corbet Field tonight. The former Muratti striker, now 51 and currently serving a 28-day ban from coaching, has signed on as a player and said yesterday he will sit on the bench if stand-in coach Kevin Le Tissier chose to pick him.

Blondel would not be drawn on whether he was attempting to get around the system relating to his suspension, other than saying: 'actions speak louder than words'.

Under the terms of his ban, Blondel is not allowed to coach the team. As a player, however, he is entitled to train alongside the players he normally coaches and use the dressing room facilities at the Vale Rec.

'I have signed on because I want to train. When I was manager/coach I didn't need to sign on to train.'

Blondel, who ran the line for Vale Rec in their Jackson League game on Sunday, said he was not breaking any rules.

'I'm not putting myself in trouble and I don't want to put the club in trouble.'

Vale Rec will again have Ryan Zico-Black in the starting line-up, the Northern Ireland under-21 international having put back his return flight to the UK for 24 hours, in order to play.

In other Priaulx games tonight leaders North play host to Belgraves and title rivals St Martin's and Sylvans meet at Blanche Pierre Lane. North, beaten 1-0 by Rangers on Saturday, will again be without regular keeper Paul de Garis.