LEIGH RMI face being kicked out of the FA Trophy if they are found guilty of fielding an ineligible player.

Opponents Stalybridge Celtic have complained to the FA that RMI goalkeeper Seb Rowe did not have international clearance to play in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Hilton Park.

Tonight's scheduled replay at Bower Fold has been postponed pending a ruling from the FA's competitions committee on Friday.

Rowe, a former Bury reserve, played in the USA in the summer and needed international clearance to play in this country again.

But the 19-year-old has already played 16 matches for Atherton Collieries in the North West Counties League this season without any problem being discovered.

RMI signed Rowe just before the seven-day deadline for the Trophy third round because Gary Kelly was out with a broken thumb and Ian Martin cup-tied.

Chairman Bill Taylor said: "Stalybridge have lodged a complaint with the FA, saying that Seb Rowe did not have international clearance.

"If that is the case, we did not know about it. Everyone at the club is devastated by what has happened."

The team that goes through will face Marine at home on January 31.

RMI, meanwhile, have been drawn at Chorley in the quarter-final of the Lancashire Marsden Trophy. The Victory Park outfit are now managed by Mark Patterson, who left Leigh in October. The tie is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27.