It's Now Down To The Strikers

By: Richard Lord
Date: 28/02/2002

GRIMSBY Town manager Paul Groves today declared that there are to be no new faces arriving at Blundell Park for the foreseeable future. The horrific injury to Martin Pringle means that no new loans can be drafted into the side until the Swede's loan spell runs out on March 26.

Speaking to the Evening Telegraph Groves said: "We can't bring anybody else in, it's as simple as that. For the duration of the period Martin has signed for we cannot bring anyone in."

Groves, who turned 36 today, admitted the injury to Pringle has been a bitter pill to swallow. "It's a massive blow and I'm devastated for the lad," continued Groves. "After working so hard he was just coming good.

"Then all of a sudden we've lost him permanently and Andy got injured as well. It's a devastating blow."

Andy Todd, who has been watched from the stands by his father Colin Todd in his two games for the club, is racing to be fit for the game against Palace on Saturday although it looks increasingly likely that he'll have to sit out on this occasion.

Now the Mariners have to revert back to square one, as Groves continued: "We're back to where we were before. The onus has always been on the players who are already here, but now the burden falls back on to their shoulders."

What many fans have described as 'the curse' looming over the club, the management team have been trying their best to move on, and will be approaching the FA in a last attempt to seek some leniency.

"We're trying to ask the FA for special dispensation but we don't think we'll get it" added Groves, who will be hoping that the FA will allow Grimsby to bring another loan player to the club after Pringle's spell was cut short, although this is very unlikely.

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