Grays had to give a debut to a goalkeeper in the last round of the FA Cup and expect to have to do the same tomorrow (Saturday) against Margate.

The continued refusal by Southend to have Melvin Capleton cup-tied is the reason.

To be fair to the Nationwide League side they have allowed Craig Edwards to take 19-year-old Jamie Lunan on loan and have no problem about him playing in a game that, should Grays win it, will put them in the first round proper for a second consecutive season.

Lunan is a player Edwards knows from his time at Roots Hall and he used him when manager of Barking.

"Jamie was only 16 years of age at the time but he did exceptionally well for us," said Edwards.

"He is a big lad, mature for his age and a very composed goalkeeper and I've a lot of confidence in him."

Whilst it may appear that Edwards is favouring Lunan to start against the Conference side, Grays have also signed former Enfield and Kingstonian goalkeeper Jerome John as further back-up.

Both were due to have played in a Capital League game earlier in the week which would have gone some way to deciding who does start.

Clearly then Blues weren't prepared to risk French teenager Dominique Zephiran who whilst he did make some good saves against Purfleet looked vulnerable in the air. Meanwhile Paul Newell has been released.

The game against Margate, last season's Dr Martens champions, is by far the biggest test of the Edwards/Mike Woodward partnership.

"Margate are a very disciplined team with the same type of work ethic as us and we are going to have to play well to beat them," explained Edwards.

Included in the Grays squad will be record signing from Stevenage John Cooper, although there remains a doubt as to whether Craig Edwards jnr will have recovered in time from a knee injury.

Definitely out are defenders Alan McCloud and Andy Sussex.

But this team doesn't need its best side to win - they've lost just twice in 18 games this term.

Of those defeats both hurt really hard as they were against near neighbours Billericay and Purfleet. But you'd reckon a loss this time when so near to another possible "big time" draw - Blues got Reading last term - will be even harder to bear.

Grays are expecting one of their biggest crowds for some time with figures of between 1,200 and 1,500 being mentioned by club officials. The advice then is to get to The Rec early.

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