STEVE Croudson could make a remarkable return to Grimsby Town's squad for this afternoon's FA Cup Second Round encounter (3pm).
The Mariners' goalkeeping coach represented his hometown club as a youngster before injury forced him to hang up his gloves as a 26-year-old.
'Crouds' was called out of retirement during the 2010/11 campaign, making eight appearances to help Town through a goalkeeping injury crisis.
Now, with reserve stopper Jonathan Hedge on loan at Matlock and the Mariners able to name seven substitutes for Northampton Town's visit, the 33-year-old is on the verge of a match-day squad for the first time in almost two years.
His main competition, however, is one of his own proteges – 17-year-old Youth-team keeper Callum Bastock.
"I've got two options if I use a keeper on the bench today – one is Callum and one is Steve Croudson," said boss Paul Hurst
"Steve's not in a position where he could play week-in, week-out, but it's whether I feel that experience would get the edge over a Youth team player who's hoping to become a professional.
"Callum does already train with us and works hard, but I think Steve showed in the Chairman's Challenge this week that he's still got a bit to offer.
"Realistically, it would normally be Jonathan Hedge, but I felt it was worth sending him out on loan to get some games."
Young striker Dayle Southwell looks likely to join Croudson or Bastock on the bench – despite his hat-trick heroics in the FA Trophy this week.
"Some of the lads did okay over the two games against Coalville – the obvious one being Dayle," added Hurst. "He didn't do himself any harm but I do have to think of why I rested certain people and the level of performances we were achieving beforehand.
"If some of the lads who come back into the team don't perform, I've seen who I can call on if needs be.
"We're a small, tight knit group and everyone will get opportunities at some point, as just happened in the Trophy."
