Bristol Rovers Team News

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 14/10/2004

TOWN boss Russell Slade will have to decide whether to play new signing Colin Cramb in the starting XI for Saturday's mouth-watering clash with Bristol Rovers, or to leave the Scot on the bench.

Ashley Sestanovich has recovered from a virus which meant that the big striker could only start on the bench in last Friday's heroic win against Northampton at Sixfields. Sestanovich's absence allowed Cramb to make his first league start for the Mariners, and Russell Slade will be reluctant to tinker too much with a side which has picked up 10 points out of a possible 12.

Elsewhere on the pitch Slade is expected to have a full complement to choose from, with the exception of Graham Hockless, who has gone on loan to Leigh RMI. John McDermott was dropped from the line-up against the Cobblers to allow Town to swap to a 4-3-3 formation, but the Town veteran is likely to return as Grimsby revert to their more customary 3-4-3.

The only slight injury doubt is midfielder Terry Fleming. The former Cmabridge man, who Slade this week described as the "first name on the team sheet" injured his knee in training on Thursday, but is expected to recover in time.

Rovers meanwhile could feature as many as three former Mariners in their squad as they aim to bounce back from a disappointing defeat against Cambridge. Stuart Campbell is hoping to be fit again after missing the Cambridge match with an ankle injury. Former Town loan striker Lee Thorpe is expected to start for the Pirates, with fellow frontman Jamie Forrester likely to have to settle for a place on the bench.

5th-placed Rovers are one of the best supported teams in the division and are expected to bring up to 1000 fans to Blundell Park for what promises to be another large attendance.