Rushden & Diamonds

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Rushden v Grimsby

Rushden manager Justin Edinburgh faces a selection crisis ahead of the visit of newcomers Grimsby Town to Nene Park on Saturday.

Vice-captain Michael Corcoran joined a growing injury list this week after suffering a torn hamstring in the midweek victory over AFC Wimbledon.

Strikers Aaron O'Connor, Craig Farrell and Sam Smith are all expected to miss the Bank Holiday fixtures with respective injury problems.

Diamonds skipper Jamie Stuart returns to contention after completing a one-match suspension.

Commenting on their latest injury setback, Edinburgh told Northants ET: "The gloss has been taken off our first victory with Michael's injury.

"It just seems to be one problem after another and I'm hoping we get a little bit of luck soon.

"The injuries have been horrendous and it's very frustrating at the moment.

"One player's misfortune is someone else's chance and hopefully those coming in will put in excellent performances.

"I'm just looking to get these two games out of the way so we get a free week where we can try to have one or two back on the training pitch.

"We need to get through this sticky period with limited numbers. Once the squad is fully fit and raring to go we will be stronger for it."

Grimsby boss Neil Woods is hoping that no more of his players are struck down by virus that has already ruled out skipper Lee Peacock and Michael Leary.

Lee Ridley (groin) joins Rob Atkinson (hernia), Nick Colgan (elbow) and Adrian Forbes (knee) on the treatment table.

Peter Bore faces a late fitness test as he looks to shrug off a niggling groin injury.

Looking ahead to the clash, Woods told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We won't be underestimating the task ahead tomorrow just because we had a good result at Darlington.

"We will need to be as good, if not better, against a Rushden side that had an outstanding result in midweek and by all accounts put in a display to match.

"They will be tough opposition, again mainly direct.

"They have threats like Rene Howe and the other two who were at Peterborough last season - Dominic Green and Nathan Koranteng.

"They were playing at Championship level last season.

"So it won't be straight-forward but they can't be a threat if they don't have the ball and that's where we can hurt them, if we play well in possession.

"It's a tight pitch down there but a game where we are fully focused on getting another good result.

"We haven't even discussed the Histon game yet - it's all about this one first."