Paul Raven's Injury Creates A Crisis In Defence!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 03/08/2001

LENNIE LAWRENCE announced today that Paul Raven is ruled out of the opening day clash against Crewe and that he will be undergoing scans to determine the extent of his injury. If as is expected, he has torn his ankle ligaments, he will be out of contention for at least a month.

"We suspect that, but we don't know it. That's what the scan will show us today." "If it is his ligaments, we'll have to face the fact that he won't be fit for the opening game. I can't confirm anything yet."

Lawrence is now in crisis mode with Paul Groves now the only fit centre back at the club and he is trying to acquire a loan player who he refuses to name.

Talking to the Grimsby Telegraph, Lennie said that his bid for Middlesbrough defender Steve Vickers was knocked back but "I've got a million contacts but very few people will let players out at the start of the season. I'm the master at loaning people but it's very difficult. We continue to pursue a centre-back whether or not Raven is fit."

John McDermott is likely to be in the side for tonight's match against Huddersfield while Bradley Allen will get his chance to make his mark alongside Phil Jevons.

"I've got two headaches. One at the back and one at the front, but for entirely different reasons. I'll probably give Bradley a crack because Michael Jeffrey certainly staked his claim on Wednesday. Jonny Rowan will be a sub tonight and he'll be a sub against Crewe - I'm almost certain of that in my mind."

Expected Lineup: Coyne, McDermott, D Smith, Groves, Willems, Butterfield, Burnett, Coldicott, Campbell, Pouton, Allen, Jevons, Jeffrey, Rowan, Croudson, Ward.

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