SCOTT Brown's early withdrawal at Matlock Town wasn't due to injury.
The Grimsby Town midfielder left the action at half-time during the 2-1 friendly defeat in Derbyshire.
But Mariners boss Paul Hurst was quick to reassure fans regarding the summer arrival's fitness.
"Scott had been a little bit stiff in training," he remarked.
"I spoke to him on Friday and he said he felt okay, but irrespective of any performance he was going to come off after 45 minutes at Matlock.
"For me, he showed again what a good player he is.
"He can certainly play in that deeper midfield role, but I know there is a little part of him as well that likes to go and chase people.
"But in terms of getting on the ball, in the first half he was the best player on the pitch."
