Gerrard replaces injured Lynch in only change
Mark Robins has made just one change to his side for today’s FA Cup with Budweiser Third Round tie at Grimsby Town; 3pm kick-off at Blundell Park.
That change is somewhat enforced; Joel Lynch has failed to recover from the niggle that forced him off at Burnley on New Year’s Day, so the experienced Anthony Gerrard steps in.
Otherwise the Terriers are unchanged, which means they are likely to begin the game in their 3-5-2 formation again today.
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies is the only surviving member of the squad from the last meeting of the two sides back in December 2007 – he was on the bench that day. Today he retains his ever-present seasonal record, playing behind centre halves Murray Wallace, Anthony Gerrard and Tommy Smith.
Paul Dixon and Adam Hammill will be deployed as left and right wing-backs respectively either side of the central midfield trio of Jonathan Hogg, Adam Clayton and Oliver Norwood.
In attack, Danny Ward starts an FA Cup tie for the Club for the first time alongside in-form ex-Mariner Martin Paterson; he scored six goals in 15 starts on loan at Grimsby from Stoke City between November 2006 and February 2007.
Town’s team vs. Grimsby:
1. Alex Smithies (c)
3. Paul Dixon
4. Oliver Norwood
6. Jonathan Hogg
8. Adam Clayton
11. Danny Ward
12. Adam Hammill
15. Murray Wallace
17. Martin Paterson
27. Tommy Smith
39. Anthony Gerrard
Substitutes:
Ian Bennett, Calum Woods, Sean Scannell, Oscar Gobern, Cristian Lopez, Jordan Sinnott, Duane Holmes
