STRIKER Andy Bishop could make a sooner-than-expected return for HYDE UNITED.
The former Southport man was thought to be touch-and-go for tomorrow (Saturday’s) FA Trophy preliminary round tie at Colwyn Bay because of a pulled thigh sustained in last week’s game with Trafford.
However today, manager Darren Kelly received a text from Bishop saying the injury was feeling much better and he will now undergo a late fitness test. Fellow striker Ayrton Bevins also returns to squad, as does defender Dave McGurk. Both missed Tuesday’s abandoned Manchester Premier Cup clash with Mossley.
Kelly has the next few days to find a replacement keeper for Dylan Forth who received a straight red in midweek for kicking out at Tom Pratt and faces a three-match ban. Thomas Beaurepaire, who appeared in goal in the early pre-season friendlies, remains injured.
If Forth’s red card remains valid, even though the game in which he received it was abandoned, bad luck works the opposite way for MOSSLEY man John Bennett. He was serving the second instalment of a three-match suspension on Tuesday but as the game was not completed it doesn’t qualify. That’s something that irks Peter Band.
“I don’t understand how an abandoned cup tie can count for bookings and a sending-off but not as part of a ban,” the Seel Park co-boss commented.
Centre-half Tom Dean misses the trip to Northwich Victoria, which takes place on Sunday, but Andy Keogh comes back.
The Manchester Premier Cup tie with Hyde will be replayed at Ewen Fields on Tuesday, October 25, when the gate receipts will be given to Mossley man Callum Warburton who broke his tibia and fibula in midweek and is expected to be in a leg brace until Christmas. He underwent an operation earlier tonight.
It’s as-you-were for DROYLSDEN, who go up to Lancaster City, where Luke Daly remains the only man injured. GLOSSOP NORTH END have a fully fit squad for their home tie with Tadcaster Albion.
Each winning side in the FA Trophy preliminary round receives £2,500 in prize money.
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC have virtually a full-strength squad to choose from for their Bower Fold crunch clash with winless Altrincham in Vanarama North.
The only absentee is youngster Sam Tatum who broke his leg and ankle in the midweek Manchester Premier Cup tie at Droylsden.
Sam Madeley returns from suspension and Adam Mather, Eddie Toner and Danny Wilkins are all available after missing last weekend’s defeat at Halifax Town because they were cup-tied.
Darren McKnight, Keil O’Brien and Brian Summerskill are all in line to make their league debuts after featuring in the two cup ties.
CURZON ASHTON travel to midtable Nuneaton without Matt Flynn, who has a virus. Joe Guest is 50/50 with an ankle ligaments problem, and Simon Woodford is ruled out with a calf strain.
Andy Watson is still sidelined with knee ligaments and manager John Flanagan says Danny Shaw is still three weeks from a return.
In the NPL Evo-stik premier division, the injuries continue to pile up for ASHTON UNITED who are hoping to build on last week’s victory over Coalville by winning at Halesowen. But co-manager Jody Banim expects it to be difficult.
“Will Haining and I had Coalville and Halesowen earmarked for wins but we’ve heard Halesowen is a forbidding place on and off the field. Given their league position tomorrow’s game looks winnable on paper but with injury problems and the conditions we’ve been told to expect it’s going to be very tough,” said Banim.
“Jack Dyche went over on his ankle as soon as he scored last Saturday and is likely to be out for six weeks. Altogether we have five ankle injuries now on top of all the others, so we’re down to the bare bones again.
“But it was good to beat Coalville, and the fact they took three points off Mickleover in midweek shows just what a good win it was. It was our first clean sheet, too, which was very pleasing.
“I just wish we could have a settled team and keep same side or formation two weeks running.”
To plug the gaps, Banim and Haining have signed Oldham Athletic youth scholar Lee Knight who can play on the wing or up front.