Cod Almighty | Diary

Diary - Friday 1 November 2002

1 November 2002

After scouring the nation to bring in a central defender on loan in time for tomorrow's game with Gillingham, Paul Groves has signed Middlesbrough's Ireland under-21 international Jason Gavin on a month's loan. The Town player-manager swooped for Gavin after injuries to Paul Raven, Steve Chettle and Groves himself left young Simon Ford as the only recognised centre-back at the club with any first-team experience.

Alan Pouton is carrying a foot injury and is rated as having a 50:50 chance of playing tomorrow. His place in central midfield may be taken by Stuart Campbell. Campbell could be replaced on the wing by yesterday's loan signing John Oster or Terry Cooke, who impressed in the 6-5 victory over the Clarets. Sorry - I just have to keep reminding myself it really happened.

For Gillingham former Rangers, Leeds and Southampton striker Rod Wallace misses out with a hamstring injury, while Marlon King could return to the starting line-up for the first time since his early release from an 18-month prison sentence he received for handling a dodgy motor. One can only hope Carlton and Granada are aware of the depths to which they have reduced Nationwide League players.