The Nationwide Conference meets on Thursday to decide whether to allow Barnet to groundshare next season.

Rejection of the plan to play at Third Division Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ground would be a massive blow to Barnet, who are also awaiting a verdict from the Government Office for London on the club's proposed move to a new stadium south of Underhill.

Manager Peter Shreeves said: "I leave statements on political matters to the chairman Tony Kleanthous. But it seems likely that we will play our first home game of the coming season at Underhill."

Because Underhill does not meet with the league's requirements, if Barnet were to finish in the top five, they would be excluded from the Conference play-offs.

Striker Wayne Purser, who broke his ankle in the 4-1 home win over Margate in April, is making steady progress to recovery.

"Wayne is undergoing a managed programme of recovery under the watchful eye of our physiotherapist Lee Taylor," said Shreeves.

"For the past two-and-a-half weeks he's been doing light jogging and swimming in the pool.

"I have great expectations of Wayne, who had some tremendous games for us last season.

"But having suffered a broken leg during my playing career, I know these things must not be rushed. It is that first challenge that is all-important.

"The calf muscle must be spot on, and whereas we can protect him in training sessions, playing in a competitive game is like unarmed combat."

July 3, 2002 16:00