Stallard suspension opens doors for rookies

Last updated : 16 January 2007 By Dane Vincent

Stallard, whose netted 10-goals in his first season as an Imp, picked up his fifth booking of the season in the Imps' draw with Shrewsbury Town last weekend, thus ruling him out of Saturday's trip to Bury.

His suspension leaves manager John Schofield with limited options up-front, with Jamie Forrester and loan man Spencer-Weir Daley likely to start as his only senior strikers.

Schofield, however, is insistent that he will have no reservations in turning to youngsters Leon Mettam and Owain Warlow for cover for the suspended front-man.

Whoever plays up front for us against Bury will do well because we will create the chances to give us that extra edge,” said Schofield, speaking to the Lincolnshire Echo earlier today.

 The way we play, it doesn't matter if our strikers are 6ft 5in tall or 4ft 6in - the only thing that changes is their type of movement.”


There are players who could do a job in the absence of Mark - young Owain Warlow and Leon Mettam can play up front and Nat Brown is another one to consider.

 
After allowing Martin Gritton, Danny Bacon (both on-loan) and Gary Birch (released) to leave Sincil Bank, the news of Stallard's suspension could well rouse Schofield into improving the fortunes of his so-far fruitless attempts in bolstering his squad.

News from the club today speaks of four offers having been placed with various clubs, with two believed to be short-term deals for the unnamed quartet.



For more news ahead of Saturday, be sure to check back to LCM.