Marine boss to sign Slattery replacement (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Marine boss to sign Slattery replacement

MARK Collier has moved quickly to fill the void left by broken leg victim Dave Slattery.

The Supermarine manager expects to conclude a deal to bring another forward to Hunts Copse this evening, in time for the visit of Stourport Swifts tomorrow.

Collier does not wish to alert other suitors to the striker's availability by naming him, but the young man in question has scored goals in Division One West in the past and is currently plying his trade at a higher level.

Said Collier: "We've agreed a deal with the player and the other club involved, we've just got to try and complete the paperwork before Friday night.

"We needed cover up front and another striker brings us back up to four with Slatts out. The player in question has proved he can score in this league before."

The transfer target may be handed a start against Stourport, with Mitch Wyatt still struggling for fitness and top scorer Matt Pratley a doubt after picking up a knock in the last-gasp loss at Clevedon on Tuesday.

Giles Harris and Steve Jenkins were also in the wars during Marine's first league defeat since the opening day of the season, while Roger Emms is suspended.

After a tough opening to the Division One West campaign in which Marine have fared well against most of the top sides, they take the unaccustomed role of favourites against managerless Stourport. But Collier wants them to go into every game expecting to get a result.

He added: "You can't take anything for granted in this league, although Stourport have been struggling and have just lost their manager. Sometimes we take the lead in games and think 'we're Supermarine this shouldn't be happening.' I want us to have a bit more arrogance than that and a bit of swagger about us.

"We hadn't lost for a while, so it was disappointing to lose at Clevedon particularly the manner of the defeat, conceding so late.

"It's difficult to take when you're not used to it but we are still very confident after the start we've made."

Two straight wins and two clean sheets will have buoyed improving Cirencester ahead of their Premier Division clash will a leaky Hitchin outfit.

Ciren saw off local rivals Gloucester 1-0 in midweek courtesy of Neil Arndale's penalty. Hitchin were thumped 5-0 by Kings Lynn on the same night.

The Centurions still have injury doubts over Steve Book, Darren Robision and Scott Griffin.

Chippenham host lowly Yate and will expect to extend their 100 per cent home record.

Mark Badman is still out injured but Ian Herring is proving an able deputy in the centre of the park having orchestrated the Bluebirds' 4-0 FA Cup win over Newport County last weekend.