Striker Vernon on Town duty

Scott Vernon

SCOTT Vernon is expected to turn out on trial again for EFL new boys Grimsby Town tomorrow.

The well-travelled ex-Athletic striker (32) is a free agent after leaving Shrewsbury and featured during the opening half of the Mariners' 3-2 defeat at Gainsborough this week.

Vernon - whose post-Boundary Park career has also taken in permanent stints at Blackpool, Colchester and Aberdeen - performed well in that game and is set to do battle with visiting defenders Peter Clarke and Cameron Burgess when Athletic visit Blundell Park (3pm kick-off).

REBUILD

So far, 13 new players have been brought in by Grimsby manager Paul Hurst as he seeks to rebuild the squad following promotion from the Vanarama National League.

The most high-profile of the fresh faces is Ben Davies. A versatile midfielder who is Portsmouth's reigning player of the year, the 35-year-old former Derby man will add considerable experience to the ranks as the club adjust after six years spent in non-league.

Former Plymouth, Shrewsbury and York midfielder Luke Summerfield (28) has also come in, on a two-year deal, while the new recruit from Scunthorpe, Sean McAllister, is another with plentiful know-how within the lower leagues.

Tomorrow's clash is the ninth of Grimsby's busy pre-season programme.

They have won and drawn twice and lost four times, including a 3-1 reverse at Sheffield United last week.

Hurst wants his side to do more but like his opposite number tomorrow Stephen Robinson, is mindful of reading too much into the results of friendlies.

"I went to the league meeting the other day, and speaking to the other managers, I probably fall into the same category in that I don't really like the games pre-season," Hurst said.

"While you learn some things along the way, sometimes they can give you a false idea of where you're at.

"There are certain things I've liked and certain things I haven't liked.

"Whatever happens, if we win, it doesn't suddenly mean we've cracked it, and if we lose, it's not the end of the world."

Grimsby gained promotion to League Two after beating Forest Green Rovers 3-1 in the National League play-off final at Wembley.

SCORED

Former Latics man Keanu Marsh-Brown scored against the Mariners either side of Omar Bogle's double, with Nathan Arnold's late strike making the game safe for Hurst's men.

ADMISSION prices for tomorrow's game have been set at £10 for adults and £5 for concessions (over-65s and under-16s).
No tickets are available and all admission is via payment at the turnstile on the day.