Crowe Doubt for Hartlepool

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 10/09/2003

FULL back Jason Crowe is doubtful for Friday night's clash with Hartlepool after still suffering from a back injury which forced the former Pompey defender to pull out of Saturday's match with Peterborough at the eleventh hour.

Town boss Paul Groves told Radio Humberside: "Jason's still not able to train. There's been a slight improvement but it will be a day or so before we know whether he will be able to play".

Club skipper John McDermott played in Crowe's natural position of right back on Saturday, and would do so again on Friday night, although it is not yet clear who Paul Groves' first choice right-sided defender is at this stage in the season, especially given Crowe's versatility.

Meanwhile the club are remaining tight-lipped about the striker situation, just saying that they are currently in talks with an unnamed player. "There might be a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel soon," said Town boss Paul Groves, who ideally hopes to have a new striker in place for Friday's game with Pool.