RUSS Slade is forced into at least one change as he tries to extend Scarborough's unbeaten run to seven games at Nationwide Conference rivals Gravesend.

Shaun Rennison has ligament problems and will be having a scan this week, along with fellow defender Steve Baker.

Slade has been locked in contract talks this week with Bimbo Fatokun and Mohammed Sillah to extend their short-term deals.

Player-coach Mark Patterson said: "We are hopeful of clinching the deals, but we have a wage structure at the club and do not intend to break it."

Fatokun has been a big hit so far with four goals and Sillah is now a vital part of the defensive set-up due to the injuries to Rennison and Baker, but it is thought that Slade will not be held to ransom and has other irons in the fire should the deals not go through.

Gravesend are a big direct side and Slade may well make one or two changes to combat the Kentish threat, with Patterson himself a possibility in midfield.

Meanwhile, youth team coach Ian Kerr has ended his 12-year association with the club and has become director of youth football at a 'prominent third division club'.

Kerr, who is unable to name the club at the present time, said: "It is a great opportunity for me, but I leave Scarborough with regret and a lot of happy memories."

Scarborough: Woods, Sillah, Dryden, Hotte, Shepherd, Stoker, Brassart, Patterson, Rose, Scott, Pounder, Fatokun, Walker, Campbell, Henderson, Ormerod

Updated: 10:44 Friday, October 04, 2002