STEVE Parry knows what to expect when neighbours Great Harwood visit First North Western Trains League Division One high-fliers CLITHEROE on Monday.

"It is a local derby, there should be a big crowd and there are plenty of players who know one another on each side.

"So there is certain to be a lot of pride involved," said Parry.

Jamie Webster, knee ligaments, and Lee Sculpher, shin, are Clitheroe's major doubts.

Following their exit from the FA Vase and League Cup, Parry is determined his men maintain their challenge in the League after climbing up to second place.

"Other teams have games in hand on us but is it realistic to suggest that they are all going to win them all?" he added.

GREAT HARWOOD will have nine former Blues players in their squad and the game will also see a return to Shawbridge for manager Denis Underwood.

"I have no problems with that, although I'm sure I'll get a mixed reaction," said Underwood.

"We have been very erratic but with having so many ex-Clitheroe players in our squad we will be up for it."

John Morrey, Clive Dunn, Neil Baron, Neil Otley, Xav Bowers, Gary Butcher, Martin Aspinwall, Jon Riley and Neil Kennedy all previously played for Clitheroe but are now helping Underwood steady the ship at Harwood.

And with Underwood concentrating on bringing about some stability and nurturing new, young players, he insists that Clitheroe are the ones who will feel the heat as they try to stay in the title race.

"There's no great pressure on me but they have played more games than anyone and have to keep winning," said the Harwood boss, who has a virtually full-strength squad to select from.

ROSSENDALE UNITED boss Micky Graham isn't treating treating Monday's visit of neighbours RAMSBOTTOM UNITED as special.

"It's a derby game and for the fans it is probably one of the most important home games of the season," he said.

"But for me it is important only in so much as there are three points to play for.

"That is all that concerns me.

"We are handily placed in the League and I think any side in the top 10 is in with a chance of doing something."

Graham's only injury doubt is John Borland who has a trapped nerve.

RAMSBOTTOM will be extra keen to meet the derby rivals because they've been out of action for the best part of a month.

"Our last game was over three weeks ago at Atherton Colleries in the Cup," said secretary John Maher.

"We were going well at the time so you don't really want a break like that."

Because of their inactivity Ramsbottom don't have any injuries other than Jamie Ramplin, who has suffered a broken jaw.

DARWEN will look to tighten their grip on top spot in the FNWTL Second Division at the expense of third-placed Bacup Borough.

Steve Willkes' side went above Curzon Ashton last weekend and the player-boss confirmed: "There are only two teams go up and if we can win on Monday that could put us 12 points clear of third place so it's a big game for both teams.

"I don't think it's a game they can afford to lose, and we are looking forward to it."

Darwen will be without David Barnes and Scott Derbyshire, but Mick Lynch, Matt Atkinson and Mark Bennett are all set to return."

BACUP, on the other hand, could have selection problems with a number of players possibly unavailable.

Borough had tried to switch the game to an evening kick-off without success and boss Brent Peters said: "It's in the lap of the gods what team I'll get out."

Bacup will also be handicapped by the fact that they haven't played for three weeks.

And Peters admits that the situation is doubly frustrating with the postponements and a lop-sided fixture list leading to cashflow problems at West View.

He said: "The last time we had a home game was four weeks ago and apart from a cup game against Nelson to be re-scheduled, we haven't got a home game in January. That means we will go two months without a home game. How are we meant to survive?

"We're not getting people to the ground but we've still got contract players to pay and to pay our way with the services and everything else. You can't beat the elements, but somewhere along the line common sense should have prevailed," added Peters, who was unhappy at what he thought was a premature postponement of last Saturday's Cup clash with Nelson.

NELSON entertain Colne in a derby clash looking to close the 10-point gap behind the top two.

"They are usually blood and thunder affairs and league positions count for nothing.

"They beat us twice last year and we will be looking to avenge that.

"But aside from that we need to get back to winning ways. We have fallen behind a bit in our games and it's important we win to stay in there," said Nelson player-manager John Bailey, whose side has played two and three games fewer than their promotion rivals.

Craig Whittaker and Colin Wright are unavailable but otherwise the Blues will be at full-strength.

COLNE are still struggling to overcome injuries and departures from the club but player-manager Denzil Hart remains optimistic.

"Nelson have been going well and have had a good start to the season but we are going up there to get a result.

"We intend to give a good account of ourselves and hopefully take our chances, which has been a big problem for us," he said.

That problem may not be helped by the possible absence of striker Vidal Spaine, although on the plus side, utility man Chris Nuttall is closing in on a return after being out since the first game of the season.

"It's frustrating when you can't get any consistency but the club still wants to go forward and that keeps you going," Hart added.

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