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Diary - Friday 14 February 2003

14 February 2003

Town's assistant manager Graham Rodger marks Valentine's Day by kissing and making up with Stoke boss Tony Pulis. Following a violent turn of events on the pitch, the two had something of a tiff in last Saturday's match between the two sides, with Rodge being sent off for his indiscretion, but have since patched things up and seem really good together now. "There was a coming together with Tony Pulis," Grezza admits to today's Grimsby Telegraph, "as you would expect from two people passionately involved in football." But the long-ball Potters supremo has now agreed to back his erstwhile antagonist in an appeal against his dismissal. Bless.

Fans' official scapegoat of the moment Stacy Coldicott is set to return to the Town line-up for tomorrow's visit to Gillingham. The unreasonably harassed midfielder will probably replace Alan Pouton, who is crocked again, for his first appearance since the 3-3 draw at 'Wimbledon' on 11 January. Otherwise it looks like an unchanged side for the Mariners, with Chris Thompson and Terry Cooke looking to retain their places after great displays against Stoke.

This, of course, is pending the results of Paul Groves' search for new loan players, which is set to continue right up to today's 5pm registration deadline. The boss has made a good job of keeping his targets secret this time, and Town's official site is lapping up the fact that the Diary and other sources can only resort to guesswork. Fair enough comment, we reckon - if you want the very latest news, the OS is the place to be. If you want recycled old tosh laced with unpleasant sarcasm and the occasional indulgent digression into hopelessly idealistic politics, stick with the Diary.

Meanwhile, Kevin James is doubtful for the Gills; but Chris Hope, Paul Shaw, player-boss Andy Hessenthaler and - arguably the best name in the Nationwide - Nayron Nosworthy are all set to overcome injuries. Quite good striker Marlon King is ruled out for the season, though, with cruciate stuff. The Diary is scared, anyway. We never win down south.