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Yakabu to get dose of the Blues

Barnet boss Martin Allen has revealed star defender Ishmail Yakabu may be involved in Chelsea's pre-season programme.

The teenage centre-back was due to play for the Blues in their reserve game at Leicester this week, but the Underhill manager decided to give the player a rest after a month on the sidelines with an ankle ligament injury.

Allen said: "We were approached last week by Chelsea to see if Ishmail could spend a couple of days in training and then take part in a midweek reserve game.

"But due to our busy schedule he'll not be taking part in the reserve game, although he could play for Chelsea in some pre-season games.

"He had a good performance against Kettering at the weekend, but has only just returned after an ankle injury. He's still a youngster, he's getting better and I'm sure he'll do well in the future."

Yakabu, who made his first-team debut aged 16 in last season's 3-2 defeat at Stevenage, has already trained at Manchester City and West Ham this season. The 17-year-old has made 33 appearances for the Bees this season and scored his first goal for the club in the 2-2 draw with Farnborough last month.

Article from the Nationwide Conference Weekend Preview, Week 36, 19/04/2003.