Who’s in the Mariners’ treatment room now?
HURST HEADACHE SHOWS
GRIMSBY Town’s injury list is piling up after a host of players missed Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Kidderminster Harriers.
The Mariners crashed out of the FA Cup at the first-round stage following a second-half penalty from Ashley Hemmings.
Paul Hurst made six changes to his XI with a switch in formation, largely prompted by a raft of niggles in the Town camp.
Erico Sousa, Max Wright, Adam Crookes, Alex Hunt and James McKeown all missed out due to knocks, with John McAtee and Sean Scannell also on the sidelines.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Aldershot, here is a handy round-up of what has been said about each player in the treatment room.
Erico Sousa
The winger missed Saturday’s match after detecting swelling on his knee. He could have been involved but Hurst decided against risking him.
What Hurst said: “I didn’t want to risk Erico (Sousa). He had some fluid on his knee. He thought he might be alright but I didn’t see the value in risking it. If something more sinister happens there, we could lose him for longer.
“He was pretty close, realistically, to being involved. I didn’t like some of the information I got back and I made the call. I wasn’t willing to risk it in case it caused a longer-term
issue.”
Expected return date:
November 13
Max Wright
After an injury-hit season, Wright was forced to pull out of the matchday squad on Saturday morning despite travelling to Kidderminster.
What Hurst said: “He pulled out this (Saturday) morning. He travelled, that’s why we had eight substitutes, not nine. The same injury, so that is a frustration for everyone concerned.” Expected return date: Unknown
Adam Crookes
Crookes was one of the unnamed players referenced by Hurst in his pre-match press conference.
What Hurst said: “He pulled out of training early on Thursday.” Expected return date: November 13
Alex Hunt
Hunt could have been involved but Hurst again felt the need to rest the on-loan midfielder after tightness in his hamstring.
What Hurst has said: “He has been feeling his hamstring. He’s never had that sort of injury so we erred on the side of caution with him. We hope and the feeling at the minute is that it is only stiffness and tiredness rather than he has done anything.”
Expected return date: November 13
James McKeown
The Mariners’ number one was an unused substitute on Saturday with Max Crocombe in goal. However, Hurst revealed the goalkeeper is carrying a knock.
What Hurst said: “He had to be on the bench but he wasn’t fit to start and I wouldn’t have started him.”
Expected return date: November 13
Will Bapaga
Bapaga went down for treatment during the Kidderminster match and was subbed on the hour-mark.
What Hurst said: “Will was another one. He was ill on Tuesday and Wednesday, he came back on Thursday. He took a knock and hobbled off at the end. We will have to assess him.”
Expected return date: Unknown but doesn’t seem serious
John McAtee
McAtee was ruled out for a month after picking up a knee injury against Wealdstone. The Mariners haven’t scored in the two matches he has missed.
What Hurst said: “He is working harder in the gym. He’d rather be on the grass, it’s hard work but he knows why he’s doing the work. In terms of the timing, to my mind, I haven’t been told any different (than four weeks).”
Expected return date: December 4
Sean Scannell
The winger is back in first-team training but is yet to play this season and is still a way from being in contention to play.
What Hurst has said: “Scans has been training this week but he is not under consideration for the squad at this moment. It’s early days of him being back, striking a ball and joining in fully - but he’s looked ok these last couple of days.”