PAUL Hurst admits he is concerned by Craig Disley's injury after the Grimsby Town skipper limped out of last night's friendly loss at Matlock.
The Mariners suffered defeat for the first time this pre-season thanks to a 2-1 reverse in Derbyshire.
But their boss was far more worried with his captain's fitness than the result – especially with the start of the new Conference campaign approaching fast.
Disley appeared to turn his knee in a challenge shortly after half-time, and was withdrawn from the action moments later.
"Craig's foot got stuck in the ground and he felt his knee a little bit," Hurst told the Telegraph. "I was hoping it was more 'knee on knee', but I'm not sure.
"He seemed to be almost ready to run it off, but we didn't want to risk that – particularly after he has just come back. Fingers-crossed, it's nothing too major.
"I know what we need to work on and what we're looking at after that game, so I'm happy.
"But I'd be happier if I find out Craig's injury is nothing serious and I've got a fit squad to go into two games against Football League opposition when we know we must up our performance."
PICTURES: Grimsby Town at Matlock
Scott Neilson's first-half goal was a highlight for the Mariners on a night when they toyed with the 'diamond' formation.
Hurst added: "I'm not going to pretend otherwise, I'd like to have won the game, but there's no points on offer or the next round of the cup.
"We played two different systems. The first half in general was something I wanted to look at, and the second half when I made a raft of changes was more to just give people a few more minutes on the pitch.
"We hadn't worked on that second system so I'm not too concerned.
"In the first half, it was a diamond formation and it was all about trying to get on the ball, and we certainly did that."
