Grimsby Town v Hull City: Liam Hearn in line to start

LIAM Hearn looks likely to start this evening's clash with Hull City after sitting out Grimsby Town's last friendly encounter.

The striker was an unused substitute in the defeat to Bradford City on Tuesday – a sure-fire way to set tongues wagging about the popular forward's future.

But Paul Hurst insists there was nothing sinister about the decision to leave the 'Hitman' on the bench.

And the Mariners joint boss hinted that winger Joe Colbeck should also be involved against the Tigers.

"If we play with three traditional midfielders in there, there's only room for three attackers – we've got eight," he said.

"We changed the entire front three towards the end and that still leaves two out of it, so Liam and Joe didn't get on.

"Andy Cook did well because he's not used to playing that focal role, and Lenny (Lenell John-Lewis) looked nice and strong when he came on, and got hold of the ball for us.

"Initially we had two wide players in the wider forward areas, so there are lots of options for us.

"We can of course revert back to two up front as well, and it doesn't have to be a 4-4-2 in that case either.

"We've said all along that we feel we're really strong in that area – the competition is high."

Away from the attacking areas, this week's arrival of defender Paul Bignot, below, has also increased competition.

"Paul can play anywhere across the back-four," added Hurst. "I'm not saying that we're going to look at him playing in all those positions but it's nice to have that.

"On Tuesday, for the first-half, he had a real test against (Kyel) Reid and that was a good battle.

"He likes to get forward and he certainly looked fitter against Bradford.

"In the last 10-15 minutes you could tell he was physically tired and we could have quite easily brought him off, but you have to go through some tough barriers sometimes.

"That's when you reap the benefits of staying out there and playing through the game."

Sam Hatton's impressive switch from his accustomed right-back role on Tuesday also pleased the co-managers.

"Sam played at left-back and also played in midfield, which I know he enjoys," said Hurst.

"He looked good, so that's again another positive for us and another player who can add competition if we want to go that way.

"If the season started tomorrow I think we'd have a bit of a sleepless night and it would take a long time to come to a decision in terms of the side we go with.

"That can only be healthy for us because we want competition – we don't want them to make it easy."