YOUNGSTER David Borley looks set to make his first league start in Wednesday night's Gigg Lane clash against Cardiff.

The 20-year-old midfielder impressed when he came on as a substitute at Port Vale on Saturday and - after his man of the match performance in the LDV Vans Trophy match with Notts County last week - boss Andy Preece is ready to give Borley his league chance.

"On that performance you could say he will almost definitely play on Wednesday," revealed the manager.

"When he came on he did very well. I kept him as sub because he played 116 minutes in midweek in the LDV game and after the half an hour today he was shattered.

"But with the way he's playing and the amount of injuries we've got he could well be in."

Preece's injury problems continue to mount. Skipper Paul Reid left the field early on Saturday with an ankle injury while defender Sam Collins suffered a knee injury. With Jason Jarrett (achilles) and Harpal Singh (back) still sidelined, it means selection for the Cardiff match should be interesting to say the least.

"Some of the players who are injured might have to play," admitted Preece. "We are down to the bare bones. There's not to many options left and I might even have to put some youth lads on the bench."