THE versatility of Robbie Elliott will cushion the blow if Wanderers lose the services of Paul Warhurst.

The Geordie stepped into the breach when the new £800,000 centre-back limped out of the Grimsby action after just 15 minutes on Saturday.

He wasted no time in adjusting, despite being out of the starting line-up for two months, and played a key role as Wanderers chalked up another hard-earned but valuable win to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games.

Warhurst has a hamstring injury, which could keep him out for some time, but Colin Todd's delight in Elliott's performance suggests the player he signed as a left-back when he paid Newcastle £2.5 million in July 97 will keep his place, if needed, alongside Mark Fish in Saturday's home game against West Brom.

"That was Robbie's first competitive game for a long time," the manager said, "and he helped us come through a difficult game."

Fish was outstanding as Wanderers chalked up their fifth consecutive win to keep the pressure on leaders Sunderland, who beat Swindon 2-0 and second-placed Bradford, who beat Watford by the same scoreline.

Match report - pages 16 and 17.

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