ACCRINGTON are still enjoying the chance to look down on the rest of the Lancashire League.

And captain Matt Wilson is savouring every moment as he knows his side face a difficult weekend.

The Thorneyholme Road side begin this week's double header by entertaining Haslingden before their trip to Lowerhouse on Sunday, and Wilson knows his bowlers will have to be at their best to keep the Rossendale side at arm's length.

"Haslingden are probably one of the best batting sides in the league but we're bowling well at the minute," Wilson said.

"We always knew the young players had potential and now they are starting to realise it."

Accrington's run of three wins on the trot hasn't made Wilson any less philosophical however.

"The longer we stay unbeaten, the more chance we have of staying off the bottom," he said.

And these hopes have certainly been boosted with the news that HASLINGDEN professional Andrew McDonald will be out of tomorrow's clash.

Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor said: "He's pulled the bottom of his back but we hope he'll just be missing for this weekend."

Pakistan player Mohammed Mansroor has been drafted in as the sub to face Accrington. The batsman, who also bowls off-spin, plays for Karachi but is currently a professional in London.

ENFIELD captain Mas Ahmed believes he won't have his strongest available squad at his disposal for at least two weeks.

Ahmed will again be without at least five first team players as the Dill Hall Lane side search for their first win when they travel to Burnley tomorrow.

Andy Barker, Ahmed and Rob Green are among those who are unavailable, while Martin Smith will return to the side as sub professional.

BURNLEY hope to welcome back teenage bowling sensation Jonathan Clare for the clash with the Dill Hall Lane outfit.

The Lancashire Academy star hurt his knee while racking up his maiden century at Haslingden last weekend.

Professional Kerry Jeremy will look to get his season up and running after an unspectacular start to the campaign in last weekend's double-header.

Murali Kartik will finally make his debut for RAMSBOTTOM when they host Lowerhouse.

The 27-year-old Indian spinner flew over from India last night, much to the relief of manager Mike Everett as he tries to lift his side from the double defeat last weekend.

"It's a nuisance bringing in sub pros but the ones we had last week performed brilliantly. It's the amateurs who really have to up their game," he said.

Brian Taylor, who will be missing for three weeks, and Simon Read are both out injured.

LOWERHOUSE bowler Jez Hope is out of both of this weekend's fixtures but captain Matt Hope is looking for his side to build on a positive start to the new campaign.

He is wary that Ramsbottom professional Kartik will be looking to make an immediate impression but said: "We've got quite a strong side and last week's performances were pleasing because the players chipped in with the bat all the way down the order."

Tomm Brierley will replace Jez Hope in this weekend's starting line-ups.

Captain Hope added: "Tommy's a batter but he has performed the best in the seconds and we think he will do the best job for us."

COLNE are struggling to find a sub pro for their game at champions East Lancs following the sacking of Mark Cleary for breach of contract last week.

His replacement, New Zealander Andre Adams, won't have his work permit sorted out until next week, and chairman Trevor Lonsdale said: "We have someone lined up for Sunday but it's very difficult to get subs for a Saturday because everybody is playing."

EAST LANCS hope to field the same team as last Sunday when they beat Haslingden, apart from the sub pro. Darwen's Keith Semple will replace Franklin Rose.

The Alexandra Meadows side are reasonably pleased with their start, and particularly with Mark Lomas, who has slotted back in well.

BACUP will name an unchanged team as they try to extend their 100 per cent record at Nelson.

Manager Alick Ormerod said: "We won both games last weekend so you can't change a winning side.

"Michael O'Connor's 94 against Church was a superb innings, especially as we were going extremely slowly when he came in."

NELSON will be hoping for more fireworks from paceman Cameron Cuffy.

The Winward Islander and former West Indies Test player claimed his first five-wicket haul against champions East Lancs last Sunday and will be looking for another good return as the Seedhill side field an unchanged line-up .

Keith Roscoe, who is having a hernia operation, and the holidaying Andy Riley are out for RAWTENSTALL who are at home to Church tomorrow.

They will be looking to continue the form that brought them their first win against Nelson last Sunday.

Chairman Brian Payne said: "Everybody mucked in and to beat Nelson, who I think will be one of the top two teams, was brilliant."

John Dawson and Richard Wood will come in for the absent pair.

CHURCH replace Phil Gilrane with brother Mark for the trip to The Worswick Memorial Ground.

Bowling rather than batting has been the West Enders' achilles heel in the opening clashes and, following two defeats last week despite making 253 against Lowerhouse, press officer Jack Houldsworth said: "We are hoping for better things. The bowling has to be tighter to give us a chance because we're happy with the batting."

TODMORDEN face the season's early surprise package Rishton at Centre Vale.

After beating Ramsbottom and then losing to Colne last weekend, Tod have unsurprisingly opted to play the successful Saturday line-up with Richard Baigent, who has returned to the club after a spell with Elland, and Oliver Wood back in the starting eleven.

RISHTON will make one change to their side with Shaun Hutchinson replacing Paul Whalley.