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Glenn Roeder hopes that Steve Lomas and Michael Carrick will be able to play their first pre-season games against Wycombe Wanderers next week.

"Steve Lomas is at Chadwell Heath still recovering from his ankle injury but we are pleased with the progress both are making and we are certainly hoping they will be able to play their part, if not in the Wycombe game then in the PSV game," he says.

"Michael is out here in Sweden with us, although he is not fit to play at the moment. He is continuing his rehab with John Green and Russell Holman and they are really putting him through his paces.

"He is answering everything they ask of him in the running and it was nice to see Michael join in in the football on Tuesday morning, even though it was only for about 15 minutes.

"It just reminds you how good Michael is when you see him elegantly stroking a football around."

The squad is stretched to the limit at the moment, as evidenced by the youth on the substitutes' bench against Atvidabergs on Tuesday, and Glenn admits: "The team virtually picked itself for the game on Tuesday; we had a very young bench, and everyone got on.

"It was a good performance. We have moved on a game from Bournemouth and you have to say that, for our first pre-season game, to go there and win 4-0 was a very good performance - especially in the light of Portsmouth being down there on Saturday and losing 5-4.

"It was a pleasing performance against Atvidabergs, and I would say against a good first division team half way up their table and over half way through their season we had to be better to win the game. It is good that we have come from a goal behind twice to run out 5-2 winners.

"These are difficult games and you might think on paper they shouldn't be - but they certainly step up a gear when they play an English side and the Scandinavians have done so well when they have come to England to play.

"So it is an opportunity for their boys to show us what they are all about, and who knows, one of their players might just catch your eye.

"I have been here as a player with Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers when both teams were in the top division, and we have played first division teams and been beaten.

"So, considering that we had to play a lot of young boys in the team we can be pleased we won 5-2 and it shows you how well we played over the 90 minutes.

"Rufus Brevett couldn't make the trip with us on Monday for personal reasons but he is out here now and he will be okay for Thursday.

"Young Shaun Byrne had to fill in at left back and did a very sound job. Richard Garcia played off the left hand side, a role he hasn't played too often and gave his all and played his part as well. But of course it is difficult for them.

"Sebastien Schemmel isn't with us this week, having picked up a groin strain on Friday, so he wasn't fit to travel, so young Anton Ferdinand had a start - probably his first for the first team - at right back, and made a very sound debut.

"Young Sofiane had 45 minutes for us and scored a goal, looking very lively in the second half.

"We have gained some fitness, which is the important thing - and there are no more injuries, which we can't afford.

"Everyone knows the situation with the squad numbers at the moment."

Glenn is delighted with the attitude of the senior players and adds: "The senior players have shown a great example to the youngsters about how you should perform in pre-season games.

"Repka and Dailly were very good in central defence, David James played for 80 minutes and had no chance with either goal.

"Joe Cole and Robert Lee put in a very good performance in midfield. Joe was very lively and the way Robert Lee sits in in midfield and doesn't really get forward helps him to be very offensive which he enjoys.

"Hutch did very well again on the right hand side so that is two very good performances from him - and I am very pleased with what he has done.

"We got Fredi through 45 minutes again and hopefully on Thursday against the champions Djurgardens, who are leading the Swedish Premiership again this year, I hope he will get through 75 or 80 minutes then.

"Jermain got his first couple of goals and looked lively all night; he showed a great attitude as they all have.

"They have trained so well but you live a little bit nervously at the moment as far as how hard you push them because you can't afford injuries.

"With Ian Pearce back at home recovering from a little bit of a knee problem and a slight sprain he picked up on his ankle playing at Thurrock last week we haven't had options at centre back."