HYDE UNITED fans can look forward to seeing no fewer than five new recruits make their home debuts tomorrow (Saturday) when the Tigers take on Gainsborough Trinity in the Evo-stik NPL premier division.
Chief among them is Connor Simpson who comes in on loan from Preston North End. The 6ft 5in striker, who has been likened to Andy Carroll, drew interest from Premier League clubs Everton, West Ham and Newcastle before leaving Hartlepool over the summer.
Simpson is joined by three midfielders: Osebi Abadaki from Stafford Rangers, Nicky Plat from Ashton United and Aussie James Georgaklis who has been playing for Larne in the NIFL Championship.
Jack McConville — a former Hyde defender — completes the group by returning from Skelmersdale.
The quintet represent an attempt by manager Darren Kelly to pep up a side that has performed respectably rather than impressively this season. Goals have been hard to come by with only eight scored in 11 games.
Kelly could have problems in central defence tomorrow as John McCombe (back) and Matty Hughes (ill) are both doubtful. There are also question marks over Kyle Harrison and Ross Daly.
However, Grant Roberts has regained fitness. Long-term injury Chris Sutherland is expected to return to training over the next week.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC make their first-0ever trip to Basford United boosted by the return to fitness of three players who had to sit out Tuesday’s bruising encounter with league leaders Scarborough.
Midfielders Tom Brown and Glenn Rule, plus striker Chris Sharp, all return to Simon’s Haworth’s squad. But winger James Caton is still missing with a hamstring injury and St Lucia defender Josh Solomon-Davies is on international duty.
In National League North, CURZON ASHTON must go to Leamington without defender Danny Morton. He tore a hamstring against Southport last week and will be unavailable for at least a month.
Fellow defender Mo Ali comes back into contention after missing Monday’s Manchester Premier Cup victory over Hyde with an ankle knock, and goalkeeper Cameron Mason has recovered from an ankle strain.
Olly Crankshaw bruised a hip in training and will undergo a late fitness test.
Jan Budtz will play in goal for ASHTON UNITED at Spennymoor as Luke Pilling will be on duty with Wales.
Manager Jody Banim has brought in right-back Harrison Holgate on loan from Fleetwood to fill the gap left by Jak Hickman who has been recalled by Coventry.
Matty Chadwick has a bug and may have to miss out.
Co-bosses Mark Canning and Andy Bishop have signed striker Matty Chapman ahead of GLOSSOP NORTH END’s Evo-stik first division west clash with Widnes at Surrey Street.
Striker Darrhyl Mason continues to be troubled by a sore ankle. Jason Hill comes back after missing out in midweek and Ian Bennett returns after concussion. Adam Cooper, who hobbled off on Tuesday with a damaged calf, is fit to play.
MOSSLEY have a clean bill of health for their visit to Market Drayton. Danny McLaughlin, has been allowed to join West Didsbury and Chorlton in the North West Counties League on a dual registration.
Kyle McGonigle, who has just returned from a long-term injury, has gone to Winsford to regain match fitness.
DROYLSDEN welcome Tadcaster to the Butchers Arms in the preliminary round of the FA Trophy with £3,000 in prize money at stake.
Manager Dave Pace, who has no injuries or suspensions to contend with, has signed former Stalybridge striker Liam Dickinson from FC United.