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Harry Kewell takes struggling Crawley to Grimsby desperate for points

By James Larsson

Grimsby are looking to improve on their respectable start to the season when they face struggling Crawley.

The visitors will be buoyed by an excellent away win at Morecambe last week.

The Reds have a former Champions’ League winner Harry Kewell at the helm, who’s relatively new to the managerial world.

Mariners boss Russel Slade said: We will have to act quickly to stop Harry Kewell and his free flowing Crawley.”

Slade also showed respect for his counterpart saying: “He was a very good player, having that experience will certainly help him, but it’s still early days in management he will make mistakes.”

The Mariners, who are four points off the play-offs, have improved since their bleak start to the season. They have only lost once since September and are unbeaten in four at home.

Town have no new injury concerns with exciting young Ivorian striker Siriki Dembele expected to start along with top scorer Sam Jones.

Jones has five goals this campaign despite the Seasiders’ struggling at times to find the back of the net.

Kewell’s Crawley side will head to the east coast with Lewis Young and Thomas Verheydt both still missing, with the boss expecting to return soon. Winger Dean Cox is still awaiting a diagnosis on his hamstring injury.

Kewell was delighted with his side’s impressive victory after the long trip to Morecambe last Saturday and has praised Billy Clifford, Moussa Sanoh and Joe McNerney for taking their chances when coming into the team.

The two sides have only met twice in their history, ending 1-1 and a victory for Crawley. The Mariners will certainly be favourites but must be wary of Crawley’s exciting attacking football.

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