(BOLD CAPITALS denotes starter, lower case denotes reserves. In order of likely preference.)

Previous drafts have contained guesswork, but injuries have kind of assisted here – this version has a special treatment table section below, so is limited to fit players.  The Mariners have 5 players absent for the first game of the season, about a quarter of the squad!

Goalkeeper:

MCKEOWN   Warrington   Bastock

Defence (RB-RCB-LCB- LB):

TAIT- GOWLING – PEARSON – EAST

Nsiala     Nsiala       Nsiala       Tait

East      Tait                Tait           (Robertson*)

Mackreth    East        East           —

Midfield (RM – CM – CM – LM):

MACKRETH – DISLEY – CLAY – ARNOLD

Monkhouse      Venney Venney       Monkhouse

Clifton                Clifton   East                 East

(can Amond or Bogle play right mid?)

STRIKERS (CF-CF):

AMOND – BOGLE

Arnold        Arnold

Monkhouse Monkhouse

SUBS BENCH:  from Warrington, Nsiala, Monkhouse, Venney, Clifton.

Treatment Table: Robertson  Brown Marshall Sunter Pittman (5)

(*even though Robertson is injured, experience tells us that the boss prefers a not quite fit Gregor to an out of position left-back 😉 )

TOTAL SQUAD SIZE: 22 (JMcK/CB/ AW/ DE/AN/JG/SP/GR/JS/JM/CDis/CC/SB/NA/JV/JPP/OB/AM /MM/RT/PA/ HC)

I count 22 senior players, including 2 reserve ‘keepers at different ends of their playing careers, and a handful of young pros. So 19 outfield players, less 5 injuries (mainly to versatile players) means Paul Hurst has just enough bodies for day #1! Hopefully some of the five return as the month goes on…… By the sound of the interview with Dave Moore on the official site, Robertson in particular isn’t that far off.

So, all comments, suggestions, revisions, additions welcome!   Have your say on twitter?  @MarinersTrust

#utm