INJURY-HIT Selby Town will conduct a head count before finalising their squad for tomorrow's Northern Counties East League premier division trip to South Normanton Athletic, writes Stuart Martel.

Prolific midfielder Christian Fox is likely to miss out with an ankle problem, while Tosh Reid is struggling with a knee injury.

Andrew Hart and Adam Russell are both suspended, 18-goal striker Bruno Holden has joined UniBond League side Guiseley and Jonty Loukes has left the club to pursue a career in the America.

The absence of Fox, Russell and Holden puts the scoring onus on 12-goal forward Brenton Leister as the Robins seek to break a sequence of three successive draws.

The Flaxley Road club have slipped from fifth to eighth in the table, but assistant boss Gary Cygan believes a top five finish has to be the target.

"If we can go through the last six games picking up almost maximum points then we have got a chance of the top five," he said.

"We've had a bad run with injuries and we've had to bring in players from the youth team and the reserves.

"South Normanton are struggling, but we have raised our game against the top sides and not done so well against the bottom sides. Hopefully, we can get three points tomorrow and get back on track."

Meanwhile, Pickering Town will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to Mickleover Sports in the NCEL premier division.

Jarrod Peltier's goal, five minutes from time, condemned Pikes to a 1-0 loss at Eccleshill United in midweek and club chairman Tony Dunning is looking for Mark Wood's side to pick up three points and strengthen their top four status.

They are without striker Liam Salt, who has had a minor knee operation, and midfielder Chris Batchelor.

Dunning said: "It's a tricky tie but we have got to get back on the winning track."

Dunning also confirmed the planned league clash with Parkgate, due to be held at Mill Lane on Tuesday, has now been postponed until the last Tuesday in April because of Parkgate's progress in the League Cup.

In division one, Tadcaster Albion boss Jimmy Reid is expected to turn to the club's youngsters for the trip to fourth-placed Hall Road Rangers.

Albion have blooded impressive youth products Phil Smith, Chris Dempsey, Matt Fairclough and Dale Lumley this season and Reid said that was one of the few positives to take from the campaign.

"They have all played under-19s and then come in and done a job. I'm delighted with them," he said.

Emley are interested in signing Albion's Darren Thornton and Reid is awaiting a verdict from the player.

Sixth-placed Scarborough Athletic play host to Teversal.

8:35am Friday 28th March 2008

Print

Email this