Guide to what will be waiting for Town when they get back to business next week
DATE SET FOR MARINERS TO RETURN TO TRAINING
GRIMSBY Town have had their date set to get back to training as they prepare for their return to action after two weeks out.
The Mariners postponed their fixtures against Cheltenham, Bradford and Hull City after the entire squad was put into self-isolation following Jock Curran’s positive test for coronavirus.
Town’s next game will therefore be against Bolton Wanderers on October 10, meaning they face a quick turnaround upon returning to training.
Here’s a guide to what will be waiting for the Mariners when they get back down to business next week…
RETURN TO TRAINING
As Philip Day revealed to
Grimsby Live, the Mariners are due to return to training next Wednesday (October 7) giving them three days to prepare for the clash with Bolton on the Saturday. Whether Ian Holloway’s men will be back at Cheapside though is still up in the air, with the Mariners’ base having been closed after the players went into self-isolation. The chairman has stated they will “probably” return to their usual training ground, although as part of their return, the youth team – who train on a pitch next to the first team – may have to go elsewhere for a short time.
If the Mariners aren’t able to return to Cheapside, the most likely alternative would be for them to train at Blundell Park.
TESTING
Calls for mandatory testing in the EFL are growing in some quarters, although for the time being, things will remain as they are with players instead filling out daily health questionnaires.
These forms are filled in and sent before players head to training so that clubs can find out ahead of time if anyone is showing any symptoms of coronavirus. Town’s players have continued filling out these forms during selfisolation, and so far no other players have reported any symptoms. Upon coming out of self-isolation and returning to training, it’s been confirmed the Mariners will not be tested, assuming no-one shows any signs of Covid-19 before then.
COVID CLAUSES
One of the measures taken by Town against the uncertainty that surrounds this season has seen the introduction of ‘Covid clauses’ to the contracts of new signings.
It is hoped these clauses will safeguard the club should the campaign be brought to a halt like
last l t season. Upon the th announcement t th that t the entire squad were heading into self-isolation, a number of fans asked whether these clauses would come into effect during the t short time out of action.
Philip Day has confirmed that this is not t the case, and they will instead only be activ vated should a suspension in the season for a all clubs occur.
INJURY RETURNS
The Mariners could possibly benefit from their short break, with some players potentially returning from injury.
James Hanson could be the biggest boost, with Holloway revealing before everything was shut down that the striker was set to be back in training after the Cheltenham game. Luke Hendrie – who was set to play against the Robins – will have had a little while longer to recover, while Mattie Pollock should hopefully be fully fit again after twisting his ankle.
Elliott Hewitt and Duncan Idehen may well still be doubts, although neither injury is thought to be serious, while Ludvig Öhman will remain out suspended after his red card against Salford.
REARRANGING GAMES
An obvious issue that arises from the
postponed games will be rearranging the three fixtures missed over the past couple of weeks.
The EFL Trophy tie against Hull will likely have to be played sooner rather than later to avoid running over into the second round of the competition.
There aren’t too many options in that regard, with the Mariners already scheduled to play most Tuesdays this month – the most likely alternative would appear to be November 17, with neither side currently scheduled to play on that day.
As for the league fixtures against Bradford and Cheltenham, there will at least be a bit more flexibility, with the possibility of playing one of the games on the weekend of the second round of the FA Cup, should the Mariners and one of those sides get knocked out in the first round.
Otherwise, both games will have to be played on Tuesday nights – looking ahead, a quick turnaround is available for Cheltenham, although it’s probably unlikely, while Decemeber 8 and January 5, 12 and 19 are free for both sides, although they would add to the always-hectic festive period.