NEW STALYBRIDGE CELTIC boss Liam Watson has been busy this week, bringing in no fewer than six players as he gears up for the run-in.
Striker Chris Simm has arrived from Chorley; midfielders Adam Carden and Dale Wright, and defender Peter Wylie from Skelmersdale; midfielder Michael Powell from Witton Albion, and defender Antonie Boland from Tranmere Rovers.
Watson has also extended keeper Ross Etheridge’s loan from Derby County until the end of the season.
James Cadman has joined Harrogate Town on loan but will not however be allowed to play when Harrogate visit Bower Fold next Saturday (April 4).
Goalie Josh Ollerenshaw, signed last week, has already left Bower Fold for Skelmersdale.
Of the six new players, only Powell and Simm are expected to start the crunch Vanarama North clash at relegation rivals Leamington tomorrow (Saturday). Watson is likely to keep faith with the current players to steer Bridge away from the drop zone.
Harley Wigley misses out through a one-match suspension picked up when he was dismissed at North Ferriby, and Kelvin Bleau and Lewis King are again sidelined through injury.
Bleau will not feature again this season but King is recovering well from the knee injury he sustained against Barrow and could return to the squad sooner than expected.
Keith Briggs is in contention for a place in the ASHTON UNITED side as they bid to maintain their bid for promotion from the Evo-stik NPL premier division.
The former Stalybridge manager comes into the reckoning along with Ben Dennis, Jay Gorton and Kayde Coppin who are all fit after injury. However, Brad Robinson misses out with a damaged ankle.
CURZON ASHTON, who have overtaken Skelmersdale to enter the play-off places, are in Derbyshire to play Matlock Town.
To bolster his squad for the last eight matches John Flanagan has signed Alex Meaney, an attacking midfielder, from Skelmersdale.
Simon Woodford and Mark Betts are both back in training and are thought to be about ten days from a return. Alex Watson and Connor Hampson have recommenced light training.
In the first division north, MOSSLEY, who went sixth after beating Farsley in midweek, have signed midfielders Mike Crosby and Danny Grimshaw from New Mills.
Sam Robinson has regained fitness but Matty Purcell is unavailable for the home game with Harrogate Railway Athletic because of work.
DROYLSDEN have a full squad available for their encounter with Bamber Bridge at the Butchers Arms.
There are has been a great deal of coming and going at the club over the last week. Ben Deegan, Danny McLoughlin and Matty Knowles have left while Dave Pace has signed striker Sam Hillhouse on loan from Halifax, and defenders Anthony Shinks from Prescot Cables and Jason Fragueiro Pena from Padiham.
Ben Holmes will play his last game for relegated HYDE when they meet Stockport County tomorrow, having been recalled by Huddersfield Town. Perry Ng is fit to play.
The crowd will be segregated and Stockport fans have been allocated the covered terrace behind the goal at the Tinker’s Passage end and part of the Leigh Street side. They need to use the turnstiles at the bottom of the car park.
Hyde’s social club will be open to both sets of supporters from noon. Admission to the social club must be before entry to the ground. It will not be possible to get into the club from inside Ewen Fields.
At half time the social club will be open to home supporters only, but all fans will be able to gain access after the match.
The turnstiles open at around 2pm.