DEREK Egan is relying on youthful enthusiasm to prevent his side slipping into the doldrums.

Although Ramsbottom's manager is suffering his first wobble in form since taking over in the summer, he's confident his inexperienced squad will straighten itself out.

They host Squires Gate tomorrow hoping to recover from the double blow of a 4-1 league defeat to Stone Dominoes and last Saturday's FA Vase exit, 3-0 at Skelmsersdale.

Egan said: "The bonus of having a young side is they have the enthusiasm to come back strongly.

"But in this league the problem is you have to learn. People will be sick of me saying we are on a learning curve, but that's what this is.

"At Stone we got what we deserved because we stopped playing, but Skelmersdale was completely different. We dominated possession but conceded at really bad times.

"We didn't score and scoring goals is something we've got to get better at."

This aim might be helped by the return of Ewan Purcell to the starting line-up tomorrow, who will link up with Michael Saunders as Egan switches back to two central strikers.

Gareth Brooks had treatment on his ankle injury on Tuesday and might also return to the side.