Player-boss Neil Thompson is set to keep faith with his youngsters tomorrow when Scarborough face one of their most daunting tasks of the season at promotion-seeking Rushden and Diamonds.

Although the Diamonds trail leaders Yeovil Town at the top of the Nationwide Conference table, Thompson still rates the Nene Park outfit as the best his side have faced so far this season following their 3-0 victory at the McCain Stadium in September.

However, with Boro wracked by injuries and suspensions, he sees the return clash as an excellent test for his young charges.

"This is a great opportunity for everyone to pit their wits against a very good side.

"We're in a good run of league form and that gives us a resilience to get a result."

Paul Ellender and Cherif Diallo are still suspended, while Steve Brodie is out indefinitely with an hamstring injury.

Romain Faure, who took a knock in last week's 2-0 defeat of Hayes, is also a major doubt, though immediate fears he had suffered a break were dispelled by 'X'-rays.

The French teenager will be replaced in the starting eleven by Gus di Lella. Thompson may return after his hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Thompson - sat alongside York City boss Terry Dolan - was at Bootham Crescent on Wednesday watching Leeds United reserves lose 2-0 to their Manchester City counterparts.

He denied he was running the rule over a specific player, but admitted to be on the look-out for more loan signings.

Scarborough: from Woods, Atkinson, Dawson, Ingram, Lyth, Rennison, Brunton, Stoker, Faure, di Lella, Williams, Pounder, Burt, Robinson, Thompson, Gildea, Morris, Newton, Windross.

Updated: 13:33 Friday, February 16, 2001