NEW HYDE UNITED boss Darren Kelly has declared himself delighted with his reception at Ewen Fields.
He commented: “The response to training last night was excellent, but we have injuries at the current time. We’re pretty much depleted with a few players struggling for tomorrow and Monday.
“Hopefully they’ll be back for the Ilkeston game. In the meantime we’ll have to do a bit of changing around to get a team out.”
Ryan Ellison, Adam Jones and Pavel Surnins are on the sidelines and suspensions are imminent for James Burke and Andreas Bianga. However, top scorer Scott Spencer returns after missing the Easter Monday defeat by Ashton United.
The Tigers, who are only three points away from the Evo-stik NPL premier division relegation places, visit Frickley Athletic tomorrow (Saturday) and are home to league leaders Blyth Spartans on Monday night. Whitby Town, who have two games in hand, visit Buxton, and then go to Ilkeston on Monday.
At the other end of the table, ASHTON UNITED face two matches against fellow promotion hopefuls. Tomorrow they are home to Stourbridge and on Tuesday entertain Salford City at Hurst Cross.
Paul Marshall and Liam Brownhill face late fitness tests. Otherwise everyone is fit and available.
In the first division north, GLOSSOP NORTH END are away to Bamber Bridge with yet another clean bill of health.
Asked about his luck with injuries, manager Chris Willcock replied: “The players are well trained and well looked-after, and it all starts in pre-season. We probably do 50 per cent more work than most on conditioning. The proof is there over the last three years.”
DROYLSDEN, who travel to Kendal Town, also have no injuries or suspensions.
Caldon Henson and Sam Robinson return for MOSSLEY’S home game with Lancaster after missing Easter Monday. Goalkeeper Will Jones, who has been injured since September, has regained fitness.
In National League North, STALYBRIDGE CELTIC need some of the good fortune they enjoy on the injury front to rub off on the field if they are to succeed in their battle to move away from the drop zone.
Manager Liam Watson has a fully fit squad to choose from for tomorrow’s game at promotion-chasing Harrogate Town but he has a selection dilemma. Skipper Matty Hughes is available after an eye injury but the Bridge have kept clean sheets in their last two games with Jack Higgins and John Shaw in central defence.
The Easter weekend was the first time Celtic had played out consecutive goalless draws since August, 1993, when Phil Wilson was in his first stint as manager at Bower Fold.
Flu victims Matty Warburton and Connor Hughes are both doubtful for CURZON ASHTON who are home to Hednesford Town. Otherwise John Flanagan has a full squad to pick from.