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Brigg pre-match news
Gresley Rovers go into tomorrow's UniBond Division One clash against fellow high flyers Brigg Town hoping to build on last weekend's performance and result against Ilkeston Town.
The result ended the Robins' unbeaten league start to the season and pulled the Moatmen back to within two points of their Derbyshire rivals. However, North Ferriby and Stocksbridge have overtaken the pair at the leagues summit albeit with games in hand. Brigg are unbeaten away from home and, like Rovers have only lost once in the league this term ironically against Ilkeston Town. Manager Gary Norton is expecting a tough game. " I watched Brigg the other night at Belper and they look to be quite a solid outfit. I've got a handle on how they set up and who the danger men are so we go into the game well prepared. However, I always tell my players not to worry about the opposition and worry about ourselves and how we perform. If we are on song then I know that we are a match for any side in this league".
Jamie Hood returns to the squad after serving a 3 game suspension and Matt K Smith should also return after missing the last two games with illness. Gary White has had a virus this week but is expected to be fit for the game although he didn't train last night. Emeka Ejiofor should have recovered from a groin strain picked up last week whilst Justin Rowe, also missing against the Robins looks to have shaken off a hamstring strain picked up against Rocester 10 days ago. Sean Gummer will miss the game due to work commitments.
Hoods return to the fold will give Norton a big decision to make after the impressive man of the match performance put in by Andy Simpson last weekend. Norton said: "Its great to have Hoody back in the squad. We tried Jimmy against Spalding, looked vulnerable but still won the game. We then went with Doddsy against Rocester and Simmo against Ilkeston and kept clean sheets. In that respect, you could say that we didn't miss Hoody but he's a massive part of our great start to the season and it's a big boost to have him back. He's had a knee problem but will be fit to play. Simmo didn't put a foot wrong at Ilkeston and I like what I saw especially as it was Doddsy who got forward and got the goal. It's great to know that we have that versatility within the squad because as I've said before, with a small squad, flexibility is vital. Whatever we do, It'll be a tough decision but having to make a decision like that is a great position to be in"