Grays hopes of bringing classy defender Sam Sodje back to the Rec appear to have stalled.

The Stevenage player, who made a few appearances last term when on loan, had been expected to be available for tomorrow's visit to Aldershot.

But earlier this week manager Craig Edwards expressed himself none too hopeful, with the Conference side now wanting him to be involved in the FA Trophy tie against Forest Green.

Grays have had their problems defensively since their downturn of form this year although there was a notable improvement during the second half of last weekend's 2-1 victory over Hitchin.

Edwards, though, is forced into a change when fourth-in-the-table visits third because Andy Sussex is suspended. Warren Hackett has been sent on-loan to Ford, so Mark Risley is likely to deputise.

Come 9.30pm on Tuesday night Blues and the Shots will be sick and tired of each other because they'd have just finished another game, this time in the fourth round of the Isthmian League Cup.

The winners take on Hampton in a two-legged semi-final, while the other tie is an all-Division One affair between Northwood, conquerors of Canvey, and Wealdstone or Tooting.

"I was glad that Gravesend beat Aldershot on Tuesday night because that has burst the Shots bubble. They'd been flying recently since Stuart Cash took over following George Borg's departure," said Edwards.

"It's is going to be a difficult game, but in front of a big crowd I know my players' concentration levels will be better than they've been in our recent games against teams in the bottom half."

Published Thursday, February 21, 2002