Team News: Grimsby v Northampton

By: Rob Sedgwick
Date: 20/11/2006

ALAN Buckley will return to Blundell Park on Tuesday for the first time since taking charge of the Mariners for the third time. Following two promising draws at Northampton and Wycombe, Buckley's rejuvenated squad return to FA Cup action against the Cobblers, but this time with home advantage.

Town left back Tom Newey will sit out Tuesday night's cup replay with Northampton following Saturday's red card at Wycombe. The defender is suspended for just one game after receiving his marching orders for a professional foul in the second half of the 1-1 draw at Adams Park.

Striker Isaiah Rankin has resumed training again today after recovering from a recurrence of his niggling thigh injury and may make the bench. Fellow striker Gary Cohen is still not fit to play, but there could be light at the end of the tunnel after the long-term absentee returned to training this morning having being missing all season with a tendonitis injury.

Newey is straightforward to replace as Gary Croft will revert to left back, allowing veteran John McDermott to return to the right back position he has made his own for almost two decades at Blundell Park. Otherwise new boss Alan Buckley is likely to stick with the remaining starting line-up that played so well at Wycombe.

Northampton striker Andy Kirk will miss the cup replay with an ankle injury but Northern Ireland international James Quinn is expected to replace him.

Young defender Brett Johnson will also miss the tie with a hamstring injury.

Nevertheless the Cobblers still possess a formidable squad and, on paper, would be probably narrow favourites to beat the Mariners and go through to Round Two.

The winner of the tie will face Barnet a week on Saturday.

Town: Barnes, McDermott, Croft, Whittle, Fenton, Hegarty, Boshell, Bolland, Harkins, North, Jones
Subs Murray, Chamberlain, Ravenhill, Bore, Taylor

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