ACCRINGTON Stanley will have to manage without No 1 goalkeeper Marek Rodak tomorrow after he was selected to play for his country.

The 19-year-old is in the Slovakia Under-21 squad for a friendly against the Czech Republic this afternoon, meaning he won’t be available to face Grimsby Town.

The young glovesman has been an ever-present since arriving on loan from Fulham in January, and Reds boss John Coleman is impressed with how he has developed.

“Marek has improved every game he’s played,” said Coleman. “He’s taken on board everything we’ve spoken about and is keen to learn.

“For young players, and particularly goalkeepers, it gives them a chance if they are keen to learn because it means they can eliminate mistakes and hopefully eliminate the goals going in.

“Marek gives the impression that he’s quiet, but he’s quite bubbly around the place.

“The lads have christened him ‘Jeff’ and he’s taken that quite well. He’s come out of his shell and you can see that on the pitch.

“So it’s a blow to lose him, but it won’t be the first time it’s happened and I’m sure it won’t be the last.”

Asked if he thought the international experience would be good for Rodak, Coleman said: “When you’re in a good vein of form you want to carry it on and him missing a crucial league game to play in a friendly, I don’t think there’s any benefit for him personally.

“But it’s their prerogative to call

him up.”

The absence means either Elliott Parish or Aaron Chapman will be between the sticks tomorrow.

Coleman added: “We’ve still got Elliott and Aaron here and it gives one of them an opportunity to try and stake a claim and push Marek all the way.

“It’s good that you’ve got a bit of experience on the bench. What you’re looking for is healthy competition and for them to give it their best shot.”

Stanley’s only other concern is midfielder Seamus Conneely, who limped off at Morecambe after rolling an ankle.

“It’s rare to see him go down injured,” said the manager. “We’ll assess it and hopefully he’ll be fit for tomorrow, but if not somebody else will step in.

“We have got a decent squad and we will have to use it between now and the end of the season.”