IF CURZONASHTON reach the Evo-stik NPL premier division play-offs they’ll have to do so without Matty Warburton.
The former Maine Road striker broke a leg 15 minutes from the end of last week’s 3-0 win over Whitby and is out for the season. He’s the Blues’ second fracture victim, joining defender Tom Eckersley who was hurt three weeks ago.
Danny Shaw and Simon Woodford both miss tomorrow (Saturday’s) home encounter with Buxton because of a hamstring injury.
Former Chester midfielder Lee Pugh comes into the Curzon squad having signed from Ramsbottom United.
Manager John Flanagan quipped: “I haven’t run over just one black cat, I seem to have run over two.”
Chris Baguley returns to the squad as ASHTON UNITED try to narrow the gap on FC United by doing a quick double over Kings Lynn who they beat at Hurst Cross only last week.
Kayde Coppin joins Jay Gorton on the injured list while Max Harrop is suspended.
There’s still no sign of improvement to midfielder Sean Myler’s ankle so he misses DROYLSDEN’S trip to Burscough in the first division north where they will be hoping to stretch their unbeaten run to four games.
MOSSLEY cross the Pennines to Brighouse having heard the good news that Arron Hevingham and Brian Matthews are back in training. Otherwise, co-bosses Peter Band and Lloyd Morrison have no injury worries and centre-back Ryan Marley has returned to Seel Park after leaving a couple of weeks ago.
In the North West Counties League premier division GLOSSOP NORTH END are hoping against hope that their game at Nelson goes ahead. The Victoria Park pitch has absorbed a lot of rain over the last 24 hours and there will be an inspection at 9.15am.
If the match is off it will add to the Surrey Street club’s already congested fixture list with the Hillmen having to play twice a week until the end of the season not including the possibility of cup finals.
Fortunately the squad is holding up well and manager Chris Willcock has no injury problems. He said: “We’re looking forward to the game. We’ve built up momentum and nobody wants to miss out.”
STALYBRIDGE CELTIC will be without defender Kelvin Bleau and keeper Lewis King for tomorrow’s make-or-break trip to in-form Bradford Park Avenue in Vanarama North. Both players are likely to miss the rest of the season through injury.
Celtic are looking to snap an eight-game winless streak that has left them five points adrift of safety, and a loss tomorrow could well mean that it becomes Mission Impossible for manager Keith Briggs as he attempts to steer his team out of trouble.
He has brought in Derby County youngster Ross Etheridge on loan to cover for King and, in a separate move, released experienced midfielder Kevin Holsgrove.
Andy Pearson could miss HYDE’S home encounter with Harrogate Town having suffered a badly gashed shin in Wednesday’s defeat at Guiseley.
Youth team midfield Sam Barratt (17) could feature as a substitute.