Fresh Gleeson tipped for big impact as Morgan-Smith is ruled out

After an injury-ravaged campaign Gleeson came on after an hour to replace sickness-hit full-back Curtis Osano in the goalless draw at Alfreton on Saturday.

And although Osano has recovered, Buckled indicated that Gleeson could be plunged in.

Speaking yesterday, he said: “He (Osano) is OK he’s trained today which is good. That wasn’t great at half time on Saturday he was really ill.

“We’ve got good staff here, the medical team is fantastic and Simon and that.

“He’s had plenty to drink and been eating which is good. He trained perfectly this morning so I don’t see any problems there.”

And while fellow long-term casualties James Dance and Freddie Murray are no nearer a return, he believes Gleeson could have quite an impact.

Buckle continued: “I don’t think they’re in the frame just yet.

“But I think someone like Gleeson who has been out a while can come in and add a freshness.

“Sometimes when you’re dying to get on to the pitch it can bring a real freshness to the team.

“I went with an experienced bench on Saturday, I thought we needed that.

“They’re all worth their weight in gold to me. The one thing we don’t want to do is have any regrets.

“There’s going to be lots of twists and turns.

“Everybody knows as these last games close in strange things can happen.

“The one thing we’ve got to be doing is be ready for everything.

“It wouldn’t be inconceivable that someone who hasn’t played for quite a while comes in and does a really good job.”

However, the news on Morgan-Smith isn’t good after Buckle was hopeful he could have featured at the weekend.

He said: “There’s still no Amari Smith, he’s still struggling. Everybody else seems OK so that’s good again.

“He’s not great at the moment. I think if he’s not out on the training field he is still a bit away.

“I was hopeful when I first came to the club that he was close, but he’s had a bit of a setback and that’s disappointing.

“But at the same time it’s going to be an opportunity for somebody else.

“It’s an opportunity for somebody else there now and I think it goes for all the players now.

“It’s a matter of this afternoon the boys that haven’t been playing, the subs, they’ve got to train they’ve got to work.

“It’s like anything, if you’re sitting around not doing anything, when you get your opportunity you’re going to be lethargic.

“The 10 that always start takes care of itself. All the other boys, and I spoke to Dan and I spoke to the lads that have been injured, they’ve got to do everything they can to get up to speed, it’s that important.

“We’re looking at all the angles, we’re trying to get a lift everywhere and an edge.

“And them boys are going to be massive to us.”

Buckle is also hopeful full-back Greg Taylor is on his way back, but admitted he may be looking towards naming a settled side.

He said: “I think Taylor’s close now. Ed’s (Asafu-Adjaye) been training and I’ve been happy with the team that’s started.

“Both sides we’ve put out have put a real good shift in. The boys that came on on Saturday, we’ve put them on to try and get the goal – it didn’t happen.

“But everybody’s been focused and trained really well. I’ve had no sort of miserable faces or sulking players around which is really healthy.

“I’m trying to make them all buy into the fact that they are all very important, very, very important.

“The second you think I’m not involved or I’ve been injured there’s no chance – the chance comes.

“They’ve got to be ready to take it, that’s why we’re pushing them. There’s nothing to lose, we’ve been on an awful run of games.

“We’ve trained hard, got four points for our rewards and I really do believe the harder you work the luckier you get.

“And there’s no doubt about it, we’re going to need a little bit of luck along the way.”

And Buckle added: “I think a settled team is always very handy to have.

“Continuity breeds results and the last two games we’ve kept the same starting line-up, I think.

“It’s worked for us. I will keep my cards close to my chest until tomorrow evening with the players.

“But the biggest thing for me is they are all ready. When I look at them all I think they’re all ready, I could put any of you in.

“That’s what I’m after, that’s what every manager is after. It’s what I demand. You get paid every week so you have to work hard every week.

“Your job as a player is to make it difficult for the manager. And the way you make it difficult for the manager is by training 100 per cent every day, being in my face and waiting for your opportunity.

“Sometimes your opportunity comes from a stalemate game, coming on as a sub, coming on through injury, who knows, but the one thing you mustn’t do is let yourself down by not being ready.

“I want them all at it, all ready to come in when they need to.”