GRIMSBY Town have quashed speculation former City midfielder Alan Pouton is set to retire.

The highly-rated 26-year-old has been plagued by injury since March and underwent knee surgery in the summer.

Mariners player-boss Paul Groves launched a broadside on the rumour-mongers who believe the former City fan favourite's career is over.

He said: "These kind of rumours can damage players' careers. The rumour is totally unfounded and Alan has done everything that the specialist has told him to do."

Updated: 10:17 Saturday, September 27, 2003