Ismail Yakubu, who has played in all 19 of Barnet's League and Cup games this season, missed training today suffering with influenza ... and physiotherapist Mark Stein joined him as the latest victim of the bug.

Manager Ian Hendon and first team coach Lee Harrison, who travel together daily from their Essex homes were at the training ground at Edgware early counting in the arrivals.

Four players, who had reported flu symptoms and missed training on Tuesday, reported to the new hq - goalkeeper Jake Cole, left back Kenny Gillet, winger Albert Jarrett and 18-year-old central defender Clovis Kamdjo. All four, plus Yakubu, figured in the FA Cup victory against Darlington last weekend.

Jarrett and his cousin Ahmed Deen pulled out of the Sierra Leone international side friendly against a Dutch club team this weekend - despite some pressure --because of their "heavy involvement" with the Bees.

Deen played at right back in the Darlington Cup game in the absence of the injured Joe Devera (thigh) and Ryan O'Neill (left ankle) ... and could again be involved against Hereford United on Saturday.

This game is Barnet's 200th since winning the Conference title in 2005 and returning to League 2.

The Bees are unbeaten at Underhill in nine games - seven wins and two draws - and Hendon said: "Our home form is going to be key".

The manager said after last weekend's Cup win: "I'll take three points over this to be fair".

Hendon said of Albert Adomah's decision to turn down a lucrative new contract: "We will be hoping to get the best out of him while he is here".

Note: Barnet's League 2 record since promotion: Played 199, Won 62, Drawn 59, Lost 78. Goals for 232, goals against 279.


Dennis Signy