By Elliott Josypenko
March 26 2004

Pertemps Bees face a captaincy dilemma against Bedford this weekend after their latest skipper was added to the injury list. Club captain Ed Orgee and his deputy Paul Knight are both long-term injury doubts for the Bees. Experienced flanker Nathan Carter has stood in twice this season, including last weekend's defeat to London Welsh.

But if the battle-weary Carter has to be given a rest on Saturday, director of rugby Phil Maynard will be forced to turn to an untried name to wear the armband.

"We've still got to decide whether Nathan can play against Bedford, because he has put his body on the line for us repeatedly in recent weeks," said Maynard.

"Tom Jordan could easily come in for Nathan, though, after getting some game time with the Gloucester seconds last week. But that would leave me with a bit of thinking to do about who will lead the side on Saturday."

No decision has yet been made, although natural leadership options include props Kevin Tkachuk - who along with Terry Sigley has signed a contract to play for the Bees next season - and the fit-again Jim Thorp.

Jim Jenner would have been a possible name to throw into the hat but for his absence this week.

However, the Bees are hoping that Jenner will be able to jump off a plane and into the starting line-up at Bedford.

The No8 is part of the Samurais team - alongside veterans Alan Bateman, Jon Devereux and Kingsley Jones - playing in the Hong Kong Tens this week.

That means he will miss training with the Bees.

But Maynard thinks he may be able to play at Goldington Road after arriving back in Britain tomorrow morning. l Centre Mike Davies trained fully this week after shaking off the ankle problem that has bothered him since the turn of the year.

Davies should be available to line up with Shaun Woof in the centres at Bedford.