Lew: I’ll solve Jim’s drought
LEWIS McGUGAN plans to take 18 months of frustration out on Bristol Rovers today.
The Northampton new boy was frozen out at Sheffield Wednesday – and has not played competitively since May 2016.
Forced to play and train with the Owls’ Under-23s, he hasn’t been given a shirt number for the last two seasons.
It’s a spectacular fall from grace for a player tipped as a future Premier League star when he ® was an England youth international.
Northampton threw McGugan, 28, a career lifeline this week and he said: “I have not played for a very long time. I want to get my career back on track. It might be a shock to the system, so it’s a case of trying to ease my way back in.”
McGugan has been rescued by Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who offered him a deal until January and, after making his debut in the Checkatrade Trophy in midweek, he is set to figure at Sixfields today.
He said: “I’ve known the manager a long time, going back to the Nottingham Forest days.
“We stayed in touch and when the chance arose, I jumped at it.”
Northampton have not scored in more than six and a half hours of league football. McGugan said: “I’ve always scored goals – and hopefully there’s more to come.” NOTTS COUNTY have Shola Ameobi (hamstring) available after he returned off the bench in last week’s defeat at Mansfield. Defender Dan Jones is still struggling with a hamstring injury.
Forest Green boss Mark Cooper has no new injury or suspension worries. NEW Port Vale boss Neil Aspin should have Danny Pugh (knee) back from injury, following an absence of nearly two months.
Grimsby pair Nathan Clarke (thigh) and Luke Summerfield (groin) are both doubtful and will be monitored.