INJURIES and suspensions mean that HYDE UNITED manager Darren Kelly will have to make changes to his forward line tomorrow (Saturday) when the Tigers meet Droylsden in a Tameside derby at the Butchers Arms.
Matt Beadle starts a four-match ban for the straight red he received against Kendal — his second of the season — and the speedy Tom Pratt is ruled out by a broken toe on his right foot.
However, Hyde are not short of options, even though Chris Sutherland is sidelined again after a brief attempt at a comeback. As well as Max Leonard and Dominic Marie, Kelly could give a debut to Adam Gilchrist who was recently signed from FC United.
The Tigers, who are unbeaten in their last six league matches, and have only lost two all season, ought to be too strong for the Bloods who have yet to win a game in 2018. But with home advantage, Dave Pace as manager and local bragging rights at stake, the match has plenty of scope for Droylsden to spring a surprise.
Despite their superlative form this season, Hyde have to keep winning. They are locked in a bitter battle with South Shields and Scarborough for the two automatic promotion places in the Evo-stik NPL first division north, and can’t afford any slip-ups if they are to outperform their rivals from the Southern and Isthmian leagues for the one third-place promotion slot which is available because of restructuring.
DROYLSDEN are hoping to be at full strength for the first time in several weeks. Centre-back Alex Frost has come through training after a lengthy lay-off and is available for selection.
GLOSSOP NORTH END must be hoping they can end their run of six games without a win when they take on bottom club Goole at Surrey Street.
Co-boss Paul Phillips could reclaim his place in goal, having recovered from a badly gashed hand, but Ben Deegan is suspended and Ruben Jerome has tonsillitis.
Wide man Darryl Mason, recently signed from Atherton Collieries, comes into the squad but defender Mike Roddy has been released.
MOSSLEY’S only absentee for their visit to Colne is centre-back Tom Dean who needs to serve the second instalment of a two-match ban that started almost a month ago.
In the premier division, ASHTON UNITED are poised to unveil a new signing ahead of their home encounter with struggling Halesowen.
Ryan Makhosini could make his comeback after a long time out injured but Jamie Hinchliffe is unavailable and Aaron Chalmers is likely to miss the rest of the season with a medial ligament tear sustained in the 3-3 draw with Altrincham two weeks ago.
Even so, manager Jody Banim is in upbeat mood. He commented: “I think we’re in a good position.
“We have a real plus in Deane Smalley who has now spent quite a few weeks on his fitness. He got a good 50 minutes in against Alty and is looking sharp. He’s only 29 and if it wasn’t for his injury he’d still be in the Football League. He’ll be a great help to us as the season ends.
“So long as we can keep everyone fit I think can we can go on a good run and cement our play-off place. We’ve got some really winnable games coming up.
“I’m not at all complacent but I’m happy with where we are.”
Only hamstring victim Theo Bailey-Jones will be missing for STALYBRIDGE CELTIC who make the long journey up to Workington.
The Bridge have not enjoyed victory away from home on a Saturday for 71 weeks but they head to Cumbria in hopeful mood of ending their barren spell as their hosts have not won a league game in 2018.
Following the postponement of Tuesday’s match at Mickleover, Celtic are now facing a potential 19 games in 49 days.
In Nationwide North, CURZON ASHTON may have to travel to Darlington without big Niall Cummins who picked up a knee injury in the clash with Southport a fortnight ago.
Defender Will Beesley, signed from Chorley, should make his Nash debut and there’s a chance that Paul Marshall could be ready to return by the end of the month after several weeks out with a heel problem.
Andreas Bianga has started light training.