Hurst has plenty of options to face Magpies
CROOKES AND RAIKHY SWELL TRAINING RANKS
GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst has been boosted in his preparations for Monday’s play-off clash after seeing his squad swelled at training this week.
The Mariners have been able to prepare for the game with Notts County at Meadow Lane with pretty much a full complement of players, helped by the likes of Adam Crookes and Arjan Raikhy joining training and in contention to feature in the eliminator.
While he played the full 90 minutes in the 4-4 draw with Eastleigh last time out, Crookes picked up an ankle knock in the game and was rested in the early stages of training this week.
However, the defender is back on the training ground and expected to feature against the Magpies, with Raikhy also set to take part again after his second-half substitute appearance at Eastleigh.
Aston Villa loan man Raikhy had not played for almost three months before his return at Eastleigh.
Hurst has revealed the player is unlikely to start after so long out, but his fitness is improving and he could feature again in a prominent role.
“We’re all good,” Hurst told the BBC when asked for an injury update. Adam Crookes has a slight ankle knock and he just missed a couple of days training as a precaution but he’ll be fit.
“Other than that it is as we have been, so we’re looking forward to it.
“Arjan Raikhy is not fit enough to start. I think his fitness levels to a degree are good in one sense, but short in others.
“It was nice to get him back in the fold. It was pretty last minute so it was pleasing to have him back in and he’s been training with us and comes into consideration. We have that decision to weigh up and decide upon.
“There are some decisions to be made and we have a couple of days training yet. I’m not getting too wound up on team selection, but I have ideas and thoughts on how we play.
“The lads who were missing and left out against Eastleigh are all available and fit, so that’s more decisions.”