PICKERING Town boss Tony Hackworth may be forced to put on his boots when his side take on Maltby Main in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

The Pikes chief has not turned out at centre-half since taking over the managerial reins from Mitch Cook late last year.

But shorn of skipper Wayne Aziz and Frank Belt for the trip to Rotherham, Hackworth may reprise his role in the heart of defence as his side look to build on a very promising week.

Pickering completed a double over Nostell, beating them 3-2 at the Recreation Ground on Tuesday night after a 4-2 win in New Crofton just over a week ago.

They saw off Handsworth Parramore 4-2 in between to make it three wins in a row.

Hackworth said: “It has been a good week. The frustrating thing is we have proved over the last week that we can compete with a lot of teams in the league. We haven’t done so for the month prior to that.

“We had a blip but the past three results show we can grind out wins against decent opposition.”

On his playing prospect, he added: “You may see me put my boots on again. Over the past couple of weeks, knowing Wayne was going to be away, I have been doing a bit of fitness on my own.

“I haven’t decided yet. There are lads waiting to get their chance. We are not blessed with centre-halves, which is something I need to address over the summer.”

Selby Town bounced back from defeat at Shirebrook to notch their fourth win in five matches, when Craig Muirhead and Dane Mortimer scored in a 3-1 win at Rossington Main in mid-week.

The Robins will look to keep that good run going at Louth in NCEL division one, while Knaresborough are at Hemsworth Miners Welfare in division one.

Harrogate Town host Gloucester City in Conference north, while in the Evo-Stik League first division north, Scarborough Athletic are at Bamber Bridge and Harrogate Railway go to Ossett Town.