FORMER Clitheroe manager Dave Burgess will watch the Blues' FA Vase opponents Abingdon in action this weekend.

The Blues travel to the Oxfordshire side next week in the last 32 of the competition they reached the semi-finals of last season.

Burgess will go on a scouting mission for his successor Lee Sculpher, whose side are in action at home to Curzon Ashton in NWCL Division One tomorrow.

"Abingdon were bottom of their league about two games ago," said Sculpher. "But they have won their last two games so their recent form is quite good.

"We will probably go into the game as favourites but you never know how good the standard is in that division.

"There is usually a North West Counties team in the last four every year so obviously this league is quite strong compared to others."

Central defender Andy Cowking is suspended for tomorrow's game so Stuart Todhunter will come into the side to play at full-back and Adam Gardner will move to the centre of the defence.

Sculpher may miss the game with an ankle injury.

Curzon were the first side to inflict defeat on Sculpher after he took over as manager at Shawbridge.

"They beat us 1-0 but they were third in the league then and they have dropped down now and are mid-table.

"They were good against us but we have kept three clean sheets and we are now starting to take our chances again.

"We know if we perform as we can we can beat anybody."