Northern Counties East League division one leaders Pickering Town will have hotshot Stefan Zoll back in the side when they entertain Worsborough Bridge tomorrow - but it might be his last game for the club.

The 22-year-old, who joined from Yorkshire Amateur only six weeks ago, is wanted by UniBond League side Ossett Town, who under non-League regulations have the right to speak to him after the match.

He is also wanted by Harrogate Town, who had planned to give him a trial run-out in their UniBond League Cup tie with Frickley on Tuesday, but were unable to register him in time.

The former Bradford City trainee had travelled to Wetherby Road that night causing him to miss Pickering's North Riding Senior Cup defeat by Northallerton. But he did not get to play as his UniBond registration with former club Guiseley had not been cancelled.

Zoll, who has also played for a year in the French third division, is the top scorer in NCEL division one with 14 goals. He scored his first for Pickering in last week's defeat of Pontefract and boss Jimmy Reid is hoping he will stay with the Pikes for as a long as possible, starting with the visit of Worsborough.

The game is the first of a double-header with the South Yorkshire club, who Pickering play again next Saturday in a rearranged away fixture, with these two games sandwiching a Wilkinson Sword cup tie at home to Tadcaster Albion on Tuesday.

Reid is hoping his side can put behind them their cruel North Riding Senior Cup exit - the Pikes lost in a shoot-out - but knows opponents will want to raise their game at the Recreation Ground.

"Worsborough are struggling a bit in the league but everybody will try to play ten per cent better against us as we're top," he said. "We've got to raise our game to counteract that."

Pikes duo Joe Connor and Mark Wood are struggling with injuries.

Tadcaster Albion boss Wayne Day has rung the changes as his side prepare to visit Louth United.

Day was incensed at the manner of their 6-0 thrashing by Gedling last week and has acted immediately.

Goalkeeper Carl Forrester returns after a two-game absence in place of James Hargreaves, who suffered a nightmare first-team debut last week.

Dave Gilks returns to the defence after suspension and there will be a possible debut for striker Pete Beardmore who has impressed in the reserves since returning to the club from university. A former Taddy junior, he has yet to play for the first team.

He is likely to be joined up front by Steve Batley, who has started the last three games on the bench, while Mark Hick returns to the midfield.

Albion have also signed two new players from West Yorkshire League club Pontefract Sport and Social. David Pursglove will start as substitute, work commitments allowing, while 18-year-old Carl Ball is likely to be given a run-out for the reserves.

Day, whose side have been creating chances all season without picking up points, said: "In general play we've set our standards but if the players are going to fall below that standard they're going to get a kick up the backside. So after last week's display there will be changes."

Meanwhile, Harrogate Railway's new-found confidence will be put to the test tomorrow when NCEL premier division leaders Brigg Town visit Station View.

Railway have gone seven games unbeaten to reach mid-table respectability, but Brigg have lost only to Selby Town in 15 league games this season as they bid for promotion.

Railway boss Paul Marshall has striker Matthew Flynn available again and Mark Smitheringale returns from suspension. However, Ian McLean is suspended after being sent off against Staveley, while Steve Stocks returns to the reserves.

Selby Town, just one place and one point ahead of Railway, entertain Garforth Town in a mid-table battle. The Robins hope to have Dexter Tucker and Stuart Lee back after injury.

Goole will want to keep the pressure on the leaders by taking three points from their trip to Alfreton Town.

UniBond League newcomers North Ferriby United make their first league visit to Harrogate Town's Wetherby Road ground since winning promotion from the NCEL last season.

They have started the campaign well enough, including a 4-1 hammering of Harrogate in late October, to be firmly situated in the top half of division one, while Town have gradually moved up towards mid-table.

Town's assistant manager, John Reed, said: "They gave Harrogate a thumping earlier in the season so we'll have to try to put that right.

"But we've still only lost one in nine games since I arrived and we need to keep getting points to get us firmly into the safety zone."

Town are likely to field the same squad that under-performed in the League Cup 2-2 draw with Frickley on Tuesday.

Updated: 12:11 Friday, January 12, 2001