Pouts A Doubt!

By: Richard Lord
Date: 16/08/2002

MARINERS' midfield dynamo Alan Pouton looks set to miss the televised clash against Derby County at Blundell Park tomorrow night. The former York City player is suffering from a sore toe, and Stacy Coldicott is also a doubt.

The news comes as a big blow for manager Paul Groves, who now sees his side reduced to just 15 professionals and so youngster Chris Bolder is on stand-by.

Speaking to the Grimsby Telegraph Groves said: "Alan Pouton is a serious doubt and we'll have to monitor Stacy as well. They're going to be a major concern to us.

"We're down to 17 players already with Chris Thompson and Stevie Croudson out injured. That's shown up by the fact that we've got a third year scholar, Bradley Hughes, on the bench.

"If we lose Pouts and Stacy in the midfield, then we'll be down to 15. Everybody's fingers are crossed that people get fit."

"We knew that come this Saturday, after two games in four days, there was a chance we'd be down in terms of numbers. It was just a case of hoping that the injuries struck in places where we had the most cover.

"Robinson is available again and that opens up some options for us. It means we have got four strikers and it will be nice to have two professionals on the bench and two on the pitch," continued Groves, who looks likely to stick with Rowan up front.

"Jonny did well against Wimbledon and he looked hungry and I thought that he combined well with Livvo. As the game progressed he came into it more and more. We've got to look at that and we need to start hitting the back of the net.

"But as long we're creating the opportunities then players can take confidence and we can get to the next stage."

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