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Lincoln pre-match news
Gresley Rovers play in their third cup tie in a row when they entertain UniBond Premier Division Lincoln United at the Moat Ground tonight (7.45pm) in the UniBond Challenge Cup 2nd Round.
Matt K Smith, a late absentee on Saturday returns to the squad whilst it remains to be seen if Jimmy Turner will take his place in the squad after it was revealed at the weekend that the former Derby County defender was in talks with Conference North opponents Runcorn. Also the club have confirmed that a formal approach had been received for the recently returned Chris Gray from Redditch United, again from the Conference North. Gray is expected to be involved tonight.Manager Gary Norton remained tight lipped on his squad news for tonight's game but confessed to his despair after the latest approaches for another two of his squad.
"I wish I could slap a hands off warning out to other clubs to stop them coming in for our top players but because we have very little funds available to put everyone we would like to on a contract then we are always going to be in this position," said Norton. "To put everyone on a contract would be great but it would put a huge risk to the club financially. We have worked very hard to put a squad together that's capable of doing something in this league this year and week after week we seem to be spending more and more time trying to make sure we can keep our main assets here. It's a big job though when the big boys from the Conference leagues come in for your players and throw around the sort of money around that they do. When that happens clubs like ours have little chance of keeping our top players. Whilst it is very, very frustrating we can take it as a compliment that sides from leagues above are continually being linked with our players. It must mean that we have brought some quality players to the club this season.
"If players do end up leaving the club to go to play at a higher levels then it's our job to try and bring in replacements of as good, if not better quality and that's what we'll try to do."
On tonight's game he added: "Tonight will be another chance for us to see how we fare against opposition from the league above. Lincoln are mid table and from all accounts are a good side so we will be in for a tough test."
