Raikhy is an option for Town
FIT-AGAIN MIDFIELDER ADDS TO GRIMSBY’S PLAY-OFF ARMOURY
GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst believes competition in the centre of the park can only be a good thing after midfielder Arjan Raikhy returned from injury in the Mariners final-day 4-4 draw against Eastleigh.
Raikhy, who is on loan from Aston Villa, last featured for Grimsby in late February against Dover Athletic when he suffered a fractured fibula.
The 19-year-old was enjoying a run of starts for the Mariners under Hurst prior to his injury, playing a crucial role in helping Grimsby maintain their position in and around the top of the National League table.
However, since his injury Grimsby have been forced to look elsewhere in his absence, as Hurst’s side finished sixth in the National League, setting up a play-off eliminator clash with Notts County on Monday.
Raikhy returned to action last weekend in Grimsby’s 4-4 draw against Eastleigh, playing the whole of the second half after coming on for skipper Giles Coke at half-time.
With the Notts County clash on the horizon, Hurst’s decision to give Raikhy minutes could mean the teenager will be brought back into the fold for their play-off eliminator.
Grimsby were relegated last season to the National League after finishing the 2020/21 campaign rock bottom of the Football League pyramid.
They finished 24th in League Two and will be hoping they can pull together a really strong playoff run that will earn them promotion back to the Football
League at the first time of asking.
And Hurst reckons that Raikhy’s return could be a boost for Grimsby due to the fact the onloan midfielder brings something different to the Mariners engine room.
“I thought he did ok, he showed good energy,” Hurst told GrimsbyLive. “He gave the ball away at the start of a move for their first goal but, in fairness, it was deep in their half and we have to be able to defend that situation.
“He showed decent energy, he wanted to get on the ball. It’s something and someone I have to consider because I think he brings something different.
“I will look at it again and whilst I have ideas in my mind, we have training days.
“Whilst I won’t ask players to two-foot each other it will be competitive.
“I won’t get too bogged down in my thoughts right now. We’ll enjoy a couple of days away, enjoy a couple of days training and then really get into the nitty-gritty of it.”