SELBY Town can breathe life into the burning embers of their Northern Counties East League premier division promotion hopes if they can topple leaders Alfreton Town, writes Tony Curtis.

The return of Andy Cygan will add some much-needed fire-power to the attack, with Peter Collier shouldering the burden in recent weeks.

Pickering Town will have one eye on this result when they entertain Garforth.

Jimmy Reid's men lie in second spot behind Alfreton, but with games in hand mean they could well overtake the Derbyshire-based outfit.

However, even if the club do go on to win the title they will not be taking their place in the UniBond League.

"We will not be going up at the end of the season even if we win the title anyway," said Reed. "We need about £65,000 to get the club up to the standards and we haven't the money or the time - it would take three months to get planning permission - to get everything done.

"We are now looking at getting everything in place so we can go for it next season."

Reid could hand a first-team debut to 18-year-old Ryan Crawford, son of the former Blackburn Rovers and Derby County player Andy, as he is without Dean MacAuley (suspension) and Alex Wilgrass (injured).

Thomas Reid is also carrying a calf strain and could be ruled out.

Goole are on their travels, with Steve Richards' men heading across to Brodsworth.

Tadcaster Albion are without a game this week as their pitch and clubhouse and still suffering from the effects of the recent flooding.

Boss Wayne Day said: "Although it is not as bad as last year - when costs ran into six figures - we are certainly looking at around £10,000-£20,000.

"If the weather holds, then I think we could have a home game for the reserves next week, but we have asked for an away game for the start of March."

After the rigours of the cup, Nestl Rowntree return to West Yorkshire League premier division action when they head to title challengers Aberford Albion.

Although the league title is beyond them, Nestl will certainly have a say in who will win - with all the title challengers to face before the end of the season.

Alex Dewhirst (work), Martin Cowl (injured) and Steve Ward (five-week suspension) are all ruled out of the clash.

Knaresborough Town face a must-win clash when they take on fellow strugglers Wakefield.

Harrogate Town could make it ten UniBond League premier division wins on the trot when they take on Eastwood Town at home.

However, with third-placed Eastwood among the chasing pack looking to halt the Harrogate run, it will not be a sure-fire thing for the Wetherby Roaders.

"When we travelled to Eastwood earlier in the season, we were lucky to get away with a 2-2 draw," said boss John Reed.

"I think they could have won it by three or four as they hit the woodwork a couple of times.

"They are one of the few sides who have caused us a great number of problems."

Free-scoring skipper Robbie Whellans is doubtful with a trapped nerve in the back, so former Doncaster striker Darren Fell is added to the squad.

Tomorrow's squads

Pickering Town (v Garforth): Mitchell, Martin, Reid, Sturdy, O'Reilly, Chapman, Farthing, Willoughby, Dickinson, Connor, Wood, Wash, Zoll, Morton, Beech, Garnham, Crawford.

Nestl Rowntree (at Aberford Albion, meet Ainsty 12.45pm): Smallwood, Ellis, Knaggs, Hodson, Simpson, Durkin, Bond, Rayner, Bilham, Terry, Jackson, Osborn, Another.

Harrogate Railway (v Thackley): Neale, Tye, Walker, Danby, Watkinson, Moores, Ames, Haddon, Gore, Davey, Hart, Wilson, Hartley, Jones, Morris.

Harrogate Town (v Harrogate Town): from, Connor, Ball, Merris, Atkinson, Aspin, McNaughton, Bonsall, Stansfield, Donaldson, Fell, Whellans, Dunn, Ord, Hunter, Elliott.

Updated: 12:53 Friday, February 22, 2002