GREAT Harwood manager John Hughes finds himself in dire straits ahead of tonight's North West Counties Division Two Trophy semi final second leg with neighbours Darwen.

The Robins' chief has had his squad decimated by injuries, suspensions and unavailabilities. And, to make matters worse, even the players who he has drafted in to boost his squad are ineligible to play.

Great Harwood have Neil Kennedy and Anthony Green suspended while Paul Mashiter, Darryl Rodgers, Paul Goldthorpe and Adam Lee are injured.

John Eastham is continuing his rehabilitation following surgery, Bobby Harris' will be missing as his girlfiend is due to give birth while new signings Lee Smith, Liam Denin and Neville Nelson haven't played enough Division Two games to qualify.

But Hughes is seeking solace in the fact his side have home advantage, and is calling on all of his available resources.

"There are one or two players who started the season with us that could be involved, like Warren Baker and Ryan Walsh," he said.

"We've got a big enough squad so we'll just have to shuffle the side around and hope the lads can raise their game at home.

"The pressure's off us a bit because of all the absentees and I've always said the league is my priority.

"It's just a shame we've not go an away goal to rely on."

The away goals rule, however, is something Darwen manager Steve Wilkes hopes will motivate his men.

"If we get one then Great Harwood will need to score two," said Wilkes, who in stark contrast to his counterpart Hughes has a virtually fully fit squad to select from.

"We're not over confident, but we're looking forward to the game because this is the last piece of silverware we can compete for."

Last Friday's encounter ended in a stalemate for the Division Two rivals. But Wilkes admitted his side had enough chances to have won the game comfortably.

"We should have won 3-0. We missed a penalty and had two really good chances in the first half.

"But at least we didn't concede, which is unusual for us."

He added: "Their striker Neil Zarac caused us problems because he's a big awkward lad, but we're ing to go there and give it our best shot."

Tonight's second leg at Great Harwood's Showground kicks off at 7.45pm.

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