On-loan midfielder Dean Sinclair will be a major loss for Grimsby's must-win game at already-relegated Darlington in League Two on Saturday.

Sinclair, who is on loan from Charlton, was forced off just 25 minutes into the morale-sapping 3-0 home defeat to Torquay last weekend with a hamstring problem.

He has returned to The Valley for treatment and the injury could mean a premature end to his season with three matches remaining.

Peter Sweeney, Sinclair's replacement against Torquay, is likely to return to the starting line-up, while Lee Peacock, Adrian Forbes, Michael Leary, Paul Linwood, Nick Hegarty, Adam Proudlock and Jude Stirling are available should manager Neil Woods wish to make any further changes.

Defeat would see Grimsby follow Darlington out of the Football League. A draw will also send Town down if Barnet get a point at home to Rotherham.

If Barnet win, Lincoln beat Bury and Cheltenham get at least a point at home to Aldershot, Grimsby will be relegated regardless of the result at the Darlington Arena.