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More injuries bite into Glaws squad v Saints

Marco - back for Glaws
By Cherry Picker
November 28 2008
Olly Morgan and Alex Brown are the latest Gloucester players forced onto the sidelines by injury as Northampton Saints visit Kingsholm in the Guinness Premiership. Morgan has a hamstring injury, so Iain Balshaw moves to full-back from the wing and Lesley Vainikolo is recalled. Dave Lewis keeps his place at scrum-half as Glaws give him a chance to further his recent progress.
But there are changes in the pack, with coach Dean Ryan happy to see the return of his Scottish and Italian contingent from international duty.
Carlos Nieto returns at tight-head in place of Jack Forster, while Marco Bortolami is also back at lock, replacing Alex Brown, who has a jaw injury.
In the back row, Alasdair Strokosch will partner Peter Buxton and Luke Narraway, with Andy Hazell’s knee injury still not clearing up. He’s due to consult another specialist next week.
Ryan told the Citizen: "We have maintained some of the things we prioritised at the start of the season but at the same time combined it with elements of our game we are more comfortable with.
"What we have tried to do is understand the balance between certain areas of our game and ensuring that we remain competitive. We have done that better since Saracens and we must try and move that forward again against a good side.
"The November window of internationals has given us a really good insight into where we are and we have moved through it pretty well with players like Dave Lewis really establishing themselves as Premiership-quality players. We are in a pretty healthy position and must kick on from that now.
"Northampton will create a different threat to Bristol, they have some very creative runners and are really well coached by Jim Mallinder. He is someone I have a lot of time for and has done a great job for the Saints.
"But we have established some momentum and confidence over the last few weeks and we must aim to build on it tomorrow."
Just run the first couple of sentences past us one more time, Dean, if you would.
GLAWS: Iain Balshaw, Matthew Watkins, Mike Tindall (capt), Anthony Allen, Lesley Vainikolo, Ryan Lamb, Dave Lewis; Nick Wood, Olivier Azam, Carlos Nieto, Will James, Marco Bortolami, Peter Buxton, Alasdair Strokosch, Luke Narraway. Reps: Scott Lawson, Alasdair Dickinson, Adam Eustace, Apo Satala, Rory Lawson, Olly Barkley, Willie Walker. The long-term injured, James Simpson-Daniel, Akapusi Qera and Gareth Delve, are all making progress, though still sidelined, but the good news is that All Blacks front row star Greg Somerville is due in the UK on Sunday.

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