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Harrogate pre-match news
Manager Jon Newsome looks set to give two more players from the reserves their first team debuts against Harrogate Town in tomorrow’s FA Trophy 1st rnd.
Central defender James Parkinson, who has been in impressive form for the reserves, could go straight into the starting eleven after Owen James received a thigh injury during Thursday’s training session. Newsome is already without defenders Ian Bluck (back) and Stuart Evans (calf). Evans had to be substituted after just 32 minutes in the 2-1 defeat by Hinckley United on Tuesday. Bluck has tried to play with his injury but now needs treatment to help clear the problem.
Both Evans and Bluck could be out for at least two weeks.
Another dilemma for the Gresley manager is who to play up front alongside Neil Kitching. He was still waiting to see if Gary Smith would be available owing to illness in the striker’s family.
Paul Tomlinson could be called on if Smith proves to be unavailable. There could also be a place on the bench for the reserves striker Mycey Pryce.
Pryce has been in sparkling form for the second string scoring 10 goals in his last 7 outings including a hat trick against Graham Street Prims in Wednesday’s Divisional Cup game.
Newsome said: “We have a few injury problems at the moment, but that happens to every team. We have a squad of 20 so having six or seven out really hits you. But you’ve just got to get on with it.
“At least it gives the other lads a chance to stake a first team claim like Pryce whose been banging in the goals for the reserves.
"It will be a tough game. We've had Harrogate watched a couple of times and I think they are under-achieving at present. They are a good side and they will come down here to have a go because they will want to do better than they are.
"We want to do well in this competition and hopefully we can bounce back from the defeat in midweek."
