Daws updates ahead of South Shields fixture

The Iron’s interim manager Tony Daws has previewed this weekend's FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie away at South Shields.

The boss started by being asked about his own experience of playing in the famous competition, saying: “I’ve got a bad memory from when we got knocked out by Blackpool in a replay, and I missed an easy chance.

“It’s a magical competition though, especially for me being a bit older. It’s a big exciting competition, especially when round 3 comes around and the Premier League clubs come in. It’s a game I’m looking forward to."

On the potential of going on a cup run, Daws said: “If we can get a good cup run, and get through a few rounds, then that’d be really positive and great financially for the football club. As a player as well you want to do as well as you can, and get as far as you can to try and pit yourself against other teams, so it’s exciting.”

He then went on to speak about how the team's preparations have gone this week, continuing: “It’s been a difficult week so far as we’ve picked up a few injuries and had illness in the camp too, which has affected players and staff. It’s been bitty this week, we managed to get most of the players on the grass on Thursday morning, but we’re still missing one or two. I’m hoping Friday is a better day for us.”

Andrew Boyce and Jacob Butterfield were taken off against Aldershot at the weekend, and Tony provided an update on their fitness. He said: “Boyce got a dead calf and was struggling to walk at the start of the week so he’s not been training.

“Butterfield got a nasty gash on his forehead too. He’s had several stitches, but under the protocols he can’t play for a minimum of seven days. It’s something we have to work with, but if Boyce is fit then that’ll be great. We know we can’t have Jacob, but we will look at it on Friday.”

George Taft missed the earlier part of the week too, with Daws adding: “George has been ill, so he’s not been in. He joined training on Thursday morning so we’re hoping that he will come in on Friday feeling okay. There’s been one or two so it’s been a challenging week so far.”

Daws also said that this weekend's clash could provide a chance for some academy players, with the whole team impressing in a 6-0 FA Youth Cup Third Qualifying Round win at AFC Telford United on Tuesday.

He remarked: “The youth team were really good at Telford and they fully deserved their 6-0, no disrespect to the opposition, but I think the boys could have scored one or two more.

“It was a good all round team performance, they work hard going forward, they’re exciting, they’ve got pace, players who can finish, and they also work hard defensively as well. There might be one or two of those boys involved this weekend.”

The gaffer was then asked about on-loan Barnsley forward Aiden Marsh, who received his prognosis this week for an injury sustained against Dorking Wanderers three weeks ago. He said: “Marshy is back at Barnsley. The initial x-ray didn’t pick anything up, but he’s been for a further x-ray and that’s picked up that he’s got a hairline fracture in one of the bones on his foot.”

He continued: “I’ve spoken to our medical team and they’ve said it’s not a great position to get a break in as it’s a small bone. Roughly, he’s going to be out for nine weeks.”

Finally, Daws spoke about the fans travelling up to support the Iron this weekend, saying: “The fans have been great home and away. They’ve been getting behind us, cheering us on, applauding, and doing their bit when we go behind as well. It’s important that the crowd continue to stick with us as every bit of encouragement that they give is really appreciated.

“I remember when I was playing that hearing the fans’ support made me feel good. If the fans can get behind us for 90 minutes, and out shout the opposition, then absolutely brilliant.”

See much more from Tony Daws and Reagan Ogle on Iron Player.