GRESLEY hotshot Marc Goodfellow is a doubt for tonight’s tricky trip to take on Loughborough University.
The 29-year-old former Burton Albion winger has a calf problem and could miss the Midland Alliance clash, kick-off 7.45pm.
He has been in scintillating form for the Moatmen, bagging four goals in his last two matches.
“He’s a serious doubt for tonight with his calf,” said Gresley boss Gary Norton.
“He’s been on fire lately and ideally we want him available if at all possible, but we might have to wait and hope he will be recovered for Boxing Day.”
The Moatmen host Heather St John’s on Monday, kick-off 3pm, and then travel to Dunkirk on January 2 in their final seasonal fixture.
The trio of games against mid-table sides in the Alliance could prove awkward for Gresley, who are chasing promotion the season after winning the East Midlands Counties League.
They sit third going into Christmas after a 3-2 win over Tividale last week in a cracker at the Moat Ground.
“There are three tough games coming up,” said Norton.
“But with the run we’re on at the moment, we’re in fairly confident mood. We just need to stay the right side of arrogant.
“Loughborough we’ve played already this season and won an entertaining game (2-0 at home).
“They are a technically good side, with players comfortable on the ball.
“It was a cracking game against Tividale last week too.
We were lucky in the end to win it.” New goalkeeper Tom Gutteridge saved a penalty to bail the Moatmen out — and the young stopper, standing in for Gary Hateley, has done himself no harm as he seeks to retain his place.
“We got Tom from Heather,” said Norton. “We signed him to get a bit of competition in the keeping department.
“He came in and did a good job for us.
“Darren Keeling’s out on loan getting games and it was a tough decision — but we didn’t want to bring him back for just one game while Gary Hateley was in America on business.”
Norton travels to Loughborough tonight missing just Jordi Gough (unavailable) from his first-team squad.
Adam Betteridge (three games) and Rob Spencer (one game) are suspended for the Dunkirk clash after their red cards in the 2-2 draw at Stratford Town, but both are available for the next two games.
Michael Nottingham, a key man at the back for Gresley, has recovered from illness.
GRESLEY FROM: Gutteridge, T Betteridge, Barrett, Nottingham, Langford, Spencer, Jepson, Holmes, Oliver, Turville, Goodfellow, Hanslow, Lyons, Bryant, A Betteridge, Barrow, Hateley.
