TRANSCO Lancashire League leaders East Lancashire go into tomorrow's top-of-the-table clash with champions Bacup looking to put some daylight between themselves and the chasing pack before losing the services of professional Brad Young.

Young has been recalled by state side South Australia over concerns about his progress following major knee surgery in the winter.

However, the fixture list has fallen kindly as he can play four more games before departing on Sunday week -- starting at title holders Bacup who are seven points adrift in second spot.

And skipper Andy Clague is banking on gaining a stranglehold on the championship race before Young boards the plane.

He said: "I think for ourselves it's really a game we need to win, with the situation with Brad.

"I'm sure when Brad leaves we might lose one or two matches so, because of that, I feel it's game where we have to try and get something out of it to separate us from the pack.

"And the way we have been playing we should be confident, particularly as the last few games have been against teams around us like Rishton and Rawtenstall. We have been batting and bowling well.

"This is the last time we play Bacup so if we can put one over on them that will be crucial. It's the same with Colne (East Lancs' visitors on Sunday) and it's not too long before we play Rawtenstall again.

"If we can do well against those teams we have got quite a decent run-in and hopefully we can keep the momentum going into those last few games. For Brad it would be great if he could have a big finish."

Young will be sorely missed as he has again proved a fine aquisition for the Blackburn club.

The 28-year-old slow left-armer leads the league wicket-takers list with 46 victims and has chipped in with some useful runs.

Not far behind, however, is Bacup seamer David Ormerod, who has 41 wickets and is proving the perfect foil for Tasmanian all-rounder Shaun Young.

"David Ormerod backs him up bowling-wise and has been exceptional when we have played them for the past couple of years," opined Clague.

"He's one to watch but if we can put a spanner in the works and get him off the bowling and bring the other guys on we might be able to move the ball round a bit more," added Clague, whose performance with the bat could also be vital.

The opener scored an unbeaten 68 as Rishton were brushed aside last weekend and has accrued almost 500 league runs at over 50 since taking on the captaincy this summer.

"There's a lot of hard work in the background but when you get on the field it's very enjoyable. It attunes my mind as a batter and feel very confident with my batting," he said.

East Lancs had hoped to replace Young with another full-time professional but, despite several enquiries, unavailability and injuries have made that unlikely.

Instead they will have to go with different substitutes, although it's hoped that South African David Callaghan will be able to step into the breach for most Sunday games to give the title hopefuls the continuity they're looking for.

It's 11 years since East Lancs last won the league and for four of the last five they have finished as runners-up, including three summers ago when Young's stay was again curtailed by a call-up to the touring Australia 'A' squad.

Clague admits it's a familiar position but hopes for a different outcome by mid-September.

He said: "There's a long way to go and we've been in the same situation for a few years in the past, so we can't count our chickens.

"As long as we are around there towards the end, and if we get the pros we want to settle in, then hopefully we can do it."

Tomorrow's fixtures: Bacup v East Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson.