OLLEY HORROR UNITES ROB'S HEED!

ROB Elliot has hailed the unity within his Gateshead squad as they face up to life without talismanic captain Greg Olley for the rest of National League season.

- Mark Carruthers

Already reeling from a serious injury to key defender Joe Grayson in a 5-1 win against Ebbsfleet United on the opening day of the campaign, the Heed were robbed of Olley’s services when the England C international was the victim of a reckless tackle by Woking’s Dion Kelly-Evans last Saturday.

After receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch, Olley was transported to hospital and has undergone surgery on a broken leg, dislocated ankle and severe ligament damage.

After the game was held up for an hour, the Heed went on to claim a 2-0 win over the Cards thanks to goals from Kenton Richardson and Mark Beck – but Elliot has revealed his players had to persuade him to carry on after the match officials offered to abandon the fixture.