Dale Stephens
First published in Albion by Andy Naylor, Chief sports reporter
Dale Stephens took a step closer to a return to full fitness by playing the first 45 minutes of a 4-1 defeat for Albion's Under-21s against Cambridge United at the club's Lancing training complex today.
It followed a 30-minute outing against Middlesbrough on Monday for midfielder Stephens, sidelined since April by ankle ligament and nerve damage.
The Under-21s had two players sent-off for the THIRD game this season as goalkeeper Harry Doherty and centre-half Danny Pappoe saw red after the break.
Doherty was dimissed in the 64th minute for a challenge on Luke Chadwick which gave away a penalty, while Pappoe was punished for a second bookable offence with seven minutes left.
Pappoe and Glen Rea were sent-off at Newcastle in October. Goalkeeper Joshua Smith and left-back Rob Hunt saw red in the next game at home to Reading.
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