WHEN it comes to team selection this weekend, Nigel Coates' hands are tied.

The Colne manager is without three of his four central defenders with Danny Potts, Gary Rishton and Craig Whittaker all unavilable, while Paul Forsyth and Scott Gizon are injured.

Nevertheless, Coates is looking on the bright side.

"It gives me a chance to have a look at a few other players," he said.

"I've not got a vast amount of cover at centre half tomorrow.

"Richard Walton has been playing for the reserves but he probably isn't ready to make the step up to the first team.

"But we will just have to make do.

"The lads who have been on the bench, such as Chris Ingham and Dave Gray, will definitely start, Lee Barrett has been scoring goals freely in the reserves so he has a good chance and Jamie Close will probably feature at some stage."

Colne are no strangers to cup runs, but Coates admitted they may have to forego success in this competition if it means the chance to progress in the league.

"We don't want to be going out of the competition but it's probably better that it (defeat) happens in the cup than the league at this stage," he said.

"But Holker don't travel particularly well so let's hope that's the case tomorrow."