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Injuries mount
Story courtesy of
Gresley Rovers face an injury crisis on the eve of what is potentially their most difficult match of the season so far.
Manager Frank Northwood may be forced to draft in players from his reserve squad for tomorrow’s visit to the Moat Ground of Banks’s League third placed Rocester.Northwood admitted last night: “We’re stuck at the moment.”
Northwood’s problems lie in attack. Striker Kieron Smith is definitely out with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone, suffered in Saturday’s 2-2 league cup draw at Paget.
And Gresley, who still enjoy a 100 per cent record after nine outings in the league so far this term, are also likely to start without top scorer Andy Maddocks, rated at “50-50” with a groin injury, and winger Steve Adcock, who has flu.
To add to Northwood’s problems, midfielder Michael Guest is attending a wedding. That means a full debut for Steve Snaith, a recent import from Oldbury United.
Said Northwood: “They’ll have 11, we’ll have 11. We’ll see what happens. The game is like a cup final for them – a big match. But we haven’t mentioned Rocester during training and we’re not giving the game any special attention in our build up.
“One thing I’m confident of though – they’ll be more worried about us than we are about them. They’re on a good run and you cant take that away from them. But remember, Gresley are on an even better run.”
It’s not all gloom at the Moat Ground. Talented striker Tracey Norton made a successful return for the reserves on Saturday after a long absence with a knee injury.
Said Northwood: “Tracey did very well and will be continuing his comeback with the reserves again tomorrow. Its’ just a question of getting his fitness back and hoping there’s no reaction to his injury.”
