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Campbell is not coming

27/ 2/2004

PHONE lines between Rochdale and Australia will be busy over the next few weeks as the CLL champions try to line up a new professional following their failure to land Ryan Campbell.

The free-scoring Western Australian, who has also played for Australia's one day team, has been told by medical specialists in Perth that only a rest of between 10 and 12 weeks will help cure a niggling groin strain.

As a result Campbell, who was very keen to return to Rochdale for whom he scored 1400 runs as an amateur in 1994, has told Redbrook officials he won't be available until the end of May at the earliest.

A club spokesman told Observer Sport: "It's very unfortunate, but we must have a professional who can play from the start of the season on 25 April. It's most disappointing as Campbell would have been a very valuable acquisition.

"We were aware of his medical problem and have several other Australian players in mind. Over the next few weeks we will be contacting two or three of them to see who is available."

The spokesman added: "We remain confident that we will have a top class Australian professional signed up within a few weeks in plenty of time for the start of the new season."

• WALSDEN have signed Shaun Marsh, a left-hand batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler who has played for Western Australia. The club has given former player and long-time official Alan Stuttard life membership.

• STAND will have John Seedle as their professional this summer. The 45-year-old played as an amateur with Stand in 1995 and 1998 but has spent most of his career as an amateur in the Lancashire League. Some clubs, including Werneth, have still to announce their professional for the season.