Scroggins is missing for the Mariners for two weeks through a combination of suspension and him getting married.

Steadman admits his absence will be a huge blow as Shields look to make it three wins in a row when they host Dunston UTS tomorrow.

He said: "Scroggins will be a massive miss. I haven't seen a better midfielder in the league at what he does.

"He sits in and breaks things up, and then gets forward. You get midfielders who will usually do one or the other, but he does a bit of both.

"We haven't got anyone in the squad to fill his boots – but then again, we couldn't get anyone from the whole league to fill his boots!"

Scroggins gets married tomorrow, and fellow Shields player David Graham is his best man.

Steadman added: "Davie will be a huge miss too – he's been playing excellently."

Graham missed the midweek cup win over Wearside League outfit Hartlepool, as did Richie Paxton and James Oates as Steadman revamped his defence, but the latter two are both expected to figure tomorrow.