PAUL PHILLIPS and Steve Halford have rung the changes as ASHTON UNITED prepare for the final straight in their race to win promotion from the Evo-stik NPL premier division.
With 11 games left, the Hurst Cross co-managers have allowed star man Dale Johnson to join FC United in National League North.
Despite his fine pedigree, and his previous performances, Johnson has only occasionally shown his best form this term. It’s understood he was very unhappy not to be named in the starting line-up at Ramsbottom on March 8 after completing a three-game suspension.
His replacement is James Dean, who has been signed on loan from Chorley until the end of the campaign. Dean, who is 6ft 3ins and a former kick-boxing champion, lists Hyde and Stalybridge among his former clubs.
Jeff King has been released to join Witton Albion and fellow midfielder Joel Melia is being loaned out, possibly to Ossett Town or Colne.
Defender Alex Frost is still two weeks away from fitness.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Ashton travel to Barwell, the club immediately above them in the table. Last week, when the teams met at Hurst Cross, the Robins were 2-0 winners. Three points could enable Ashton to creep into the play-off places but Stourbridge would need to lose at Workington.
Striker Ayrton Bevins has recovered from a knee injury and is available to play for HYDE UNITED who are home to Skelmersdale.
In the first division north, DROYLSDEN fans can expect to see more new blood in the side. Having seen his side end a run of horrendous defeats by beating Brighouse Town, manager Dave Pace is planning more signings ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Bamber Bridge at the Butchers Arms.
On-loan Oldham Athletic striker Jordan Bove is doubtful after a training ground injury.
MOSSLEY go to Farsley Celtic desperate to halt a sequence of three consecutive defeats which has put a large dent in their hopes of reaching the play-offs.
Co-managers Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have made two signings – goalkeeper Chris Thompson from Colne and midfielder Liam Tongue from Cheadle Town.
Hamstring victims Caldon Henson and Dougie Henson are still sidelined. Sam Howell is unavailable.
Band and Morrison have asked to pass their condolences to the family of long-time Lilywhites fan Darren Mellett who died recently. The funeral is at Dukinfield Crematorium at 3.30pm on Thursday, March 31.
Chris Willcock again has the luxury of a full-strength squad as GLOSSOP NORTH END prepare to play Ossett Town at Surrey Street.
In Vanarama North, CURZON ASHTON’s play-off hopes will get a stiff test when they visit Chorley, the club one place above them in the table.
Fortunately for manager John Flanagan, his injured players are all starting to return and it looks like he’ll be able to face the run-in with no absentees.
Connor Hampson is available after suffering a damaged hamstring, Jordan Wright’s knee injury is much improved although he is listed as doubtful for tomorrow, and Matt Flynn has recovered from illness.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC take on struggling Brackley Town at Bower Fold still looking for their first home league win of 2016.
They will be without skipper Matty Hughes who sustained a fractured eye socket in the defeat at Worcester City. John Shaw deputises in central defence.
Loanee Charlie Joyce is set to make his debut as the Bridge look to put daylight between them and the bottom three.