Rocks hopeful over injured duo as Grimsby tie looms

Dan Beck was one of two key players to pick up foot injuries at VCD / Picture by Chris Hatton

Both are having x-rays to ensure there is no break but the club are hopeful it is just bruising and will monitor both players closely in the hope they are both fit toi face the Mariners at Nyewood Lane.

Midfielder Doug Tuck will definitely miss the second leg at Blundell Park on Saturday week after being sent off at VCD. It will be the first game of a three-match ban.

Rocks fans who saw Beck and then Robson limp off in a physical game on Saturday feared both could be out for weeks, but the news is brighter today.

Manager Jamie Howell said: “In each case it’s bad bruising to the foot but we need x-rays to make sure there is nothing broken.

“Dan won’t play at Burgess Hill on Wednesday night but Craig could be okay by then. We’ll have to see.

“We could do without key players getting injuries but there is always the possibility it can happen - you just have to get on with it.”

Harvey Whyte was put through his paces at VCD and could be fit to reappear in the team in midweek after missing the past month with a hamstring tear.

Howell said he had no complaint with Tuck’s red card - although the midfielder is certainly not known for finding trouble - which was shown for a high and mistimed challenge late in the 1-1 draw.

“It was a challenge that looked worse than it was,” Howell said.

“VCD are near the bottom and are always going to give you a physical game. The ref could have clamped down on things earlier but unfortunately for us for Doug, he clamped down on it then.

“It’s a shame for him to have to sit out three games and we will miss him.”

Howell was disappointed the Rocks did not quite have the quality to take three points at VCD - where a Ricky Sappleton penalty cancelled out Jason Prior’s opener - but said he was at least pleased to see the ten-week unbeaten league run continue. Bognor head to Burgess Hill still in fifth palce in the Ryman premier and ith games in hand on all the teams around them.

STEVE BONE

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