Smith banned for Welling clash

The 27-year-old picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in the 1-1 draw at Chester last weekend and boss John Still admitted it will be a blow for his side.

He said: “He’s done terrific, he’s done really, really well and will be a miss.

“But it’s someone-else’s opportunity and that in itself can be a plus.

“It’s really strange, what happens if he comes in and scores a hat-trick from midfield? What’s Smudger going to do?

“I would love that to happen and to say to Smudger, sorry Smudge you can’t get back in at the moment, but we’ll have to see what happens.”

Town expect two of their biggest influences Paul Benson and Steve McNulty to be fit though as Still continued: “We had a problem with Paul Benson and Macca.

“Paul’s come off in a couple of games, but fortunately having a free week this week, we’ve been able to get it right and the same with Macca, he’s okay.”

Strikers Alex Wall and Jon Shaw are stepping up their prospective comebacks too as Still said: “Alex Wall has had a really good week’s training.

“We didn’t include him in the development game on Tuesday, as we felt that training is probably better for him at the moment.

“We’re hoping the start of next week that Jon might start to mix in with training. We’re being really careful with him, it’s been a long while and I don’t want to rush him.”

Defender Anthony Charles is touch and go once more though as Still said: “That’s a situation that he just comes back and keeps getting injured, that’s how it is.

“They’re different injuries, so we’ll have to wait and see with that.”

Both Andre Gray and Andy Parry came through their England C experiences in the 2-2 draw with Czech Republic on Tuesday unharmed though and will be available for the weekend.

Still was delighted that the pair, plus standby’s Mark Cullen and Alex Lacey were reaping their rewards for a fine season.

He added: “Andre’s had it before (England C call-up), Paz, it’s new for him, but it’s well deserved.

“Cully was in the group to be called up and so was Lacey. When I think Lacey was playing in Conference South last year, I’m really, really pleased that he’s had some sort of recognition, quite rightly too.

“The pleasing aspect for me is how well all the young ones have done when they have come into the team this season.”

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