News

‘Marine’, who have had a poor start to the league campaign taking just one point from the first eight games, have seen a change in management with Tom Jones installed as player-manager with former Northern Ireland international Alan MacDonald as his assistant.

The management team is further strengthened with former Welsh international Paul Bodin filling the player-coach role.

Newsome warned: “When a new manager is appointed players tend to want to prove they are good enough to stay in the team and those on the fringes why they, too, should be in the frame. We have to be careful we don’t become a victim. They’ve had a bad start and will be up for it when they come to the Moat.

“You have to expect that a bad run will come to an end some time. They’ll have looked at our result at Mangotsfield and think they’ve got a chance. It’s up to us to make sure their bad run does not end with us.”

Gary Knight may not be available for the game. Stuart Evans, who has not played yet this season, has resumed full training.

The news is not so good for Chris White. His injured ankle has failed to respond to treatment and will now require an operation to solve the problem. This means the young striker will be out of action for a further eight weeks.

“It’s a bit of a blow,” remarked the Gresley manager, “but it’s not like he’s been playing. We have found out what the problem is and it could take six to eight weeks before he’s back.”