ACCRINGTON STANLEY winger Mark Shirley could be back in first team action in the next couple of weeks.

The former Morecambe wide-man broke his arm in two places during last week's 4-1 victory over Workington.

But he has since seen a specialist who confirmed the injury doesn't need pinning so Shirley could be back earlier than expected.

Meanwhile, Stanley will be looking to lose their Jekyll and Hyde tag at home to Stocksbridge Park Steelers tomorrow.

After brilliant victories over Lincoln, Leek and Workington recently, the Reds have lost further ground in the UniBond First Division promotion race following last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ossett and Tuesday night's 2-1 defeat at Farsley.

"Obviously, I was disappointed with the result at Farsley but I have no complaints about the performance," said manager John Coleman.

"The game hinged on a poor refereeing decision but we are looking forward to putting that right against Stocksbridge."

CHORLEY boss Ken Wright is calling for his side to improve their home form if they want to become genuine promotion contenders.

So far the Magpies have produced their best performances away from Victory Park although they suffered a rare away set-back at Congleton on Tuesday night.

Wright can't put his finger on the problem but he's looking for the kind of performance which saw his side blow away Harrogate last week when high-flying Matlock Town are the visitors tomorrow.

"I don't know why we are struggling at home," said Wright.

"Maybe we are better at playing teams on the break or perhaps we are throwing ourselves forward too quickly when we are at home. "But we've got to get our house in order because I expect us to win at home."

Adam Critchley, Eric Rostron, Paul Fleming, Ian Leather and Keith Evans are all struggling to be fit for the clash.

But Wright has been in contact with a couple of Nationwide Conference clubs this week in a bid to bring in some fresh faces, although his search has so far proved fruitless.

DARWEN reserve team keeper Rob Batty is on standby for the trip to Ashton Town because regular custodian Lee Purvis is struggling to shake off a calf strain.

Purvis and striker Steve Lynch both visited Preston North End physio and former Blackburn Rovers star Mick Rathbone this week for a spot of intensive treatment.

But if that fails to do the trick then Batty could take over.

Player-boss Steve Wilkes is looking for more of the same from his side after last weekend's superb 4-0 victory at Holker OB.

"There's a pack of four or five clubs starting to pull away at the top of the table and we've just got to stick in there now and, hopefully, come April we'll be the team everyone has to catch," said Wilkes.

Jimmy Khan and Denny Khan are also missing tomorrow because they are away on holiday.

BACUP BOROUGH'S teenage prodigy Nicky Taylor should be fit for his side's trip to Holker OB despite being stretchered off during last weekend's game against Blackpool Mechanics.

Manager Brent Peters confirmed Taylor is suffering from a badly bruised and gashed shin, but expects his star man to recover in time. Meanwhile, Peters locked his side in the changing room and gave them a dressing down after last Saturday's game - despite the fact they won it 3-0 to maintain their impressive unbeaten run!

"I'm not the type of person to brush things under the carpet and I was disappointed we took our foot off the gas," explained the Borough chief.

"Against better sides than Blackpool we would have been punished."

Peters was nevertheless delighted with the overall result and rewarded his squad this week with a trip to the Mega Bowl in Bury.

Adam Potts will miss the Holker game through suspension while Sean Warlow is under the weather with a heavy cold. NELSON duo John Bailey and Kieron Roberts are desperate to shake off injuries ahead of the visit of second-bottom Daisy Hill.

Player-boss Bailey is struggling with a hamstring strain while Roberts is troubled by an ankle problem as the Blues look to extend their unbeaten run to 14 games in the league.

Glen Little is also missing due to work commitments for what Bailey anticipates to be a tough contest despite Hill's lowly league position.

"We drew 1-1 with them in our second game of the season and I didn't think they looked a bad side but, for whatever reason, they are struggling at the bottom of the table," said Bailey.

"But we cannot afford to treat any game differently now. Everyone in this league can pose a threat on their day, so we've got to go into every game at full pelt."

GREAT HARWOOD TOWN boss Denis Underwood has a number of players to check before finalising his plans for the visit of Kidsgrove.

Neil Kennedy (shin), Neil Otley (shoulder) and Warren Peake (swollen foot) all took knocks in Tuesday night's win at Cheadle.

They are all doubtful but John Riley and Paul Brown may be back in contention.

Underwood has warned his defenders of the threat of striker Richard Batho.

He said: "He's quality. They knock it in to him and, although he's not that big, you cannot knock him off the ball and, if you dive in, he can turn and he's away. "Our form of late has ben erratic but on Tuesday night we turned in a good performance."

Kidsgrove beat Harwood 3-1 a few weeks ago and have since been boosted by the return of a number of players, who had moved to Leek early in the season.

COLNE manager Denzil Hart has drafted in Richard Buckley from local league football in Manchester to take over from Mark Hollins, who has quit the club because of work commitments.

Hart said: "It has been affecting Mark's performances and he hasn't done as well as I felt he should have."

The boss is hopeful that 15-year-old Mario Felix, currently impressing in the reserves, is set to make an impression on the first team in the longer term.

Colne are up against prolific old boy Steve Gavin and Hart added: "Going away from home we've got to try and come back with something.

"We have had a few unfortunate results, but they have been in the cup, and I would prefer it that way as you are judged on league results."

Colne secretary Jean Moore resigned this week but Hart prefers to stay out of club politics.

He said: "I don't understand what all the fuss is about." Troy Hayder, who has scored in the last two games and was forming a dangerous partnership with Vidal Spaine, is a doubt with a hamstring injury.

Spaine has been unable to train with a foot injury and Paul Sconce is recovering from 'flu.

RAMSBOTTOM UNITED come up against former Tranmere forward Greg Blundell when top dogs Vauxhall Motors are the visitors.

He is partnered by the menacing, Nicky Young, and influential midfielder Carl Nesbitt is another threat.

Manager Ken Bridge is without Danny Goodall, who was a sub against Squires Gate, through work commitments and Martin Hulme is on holiday.

That robs United of their left side and Bridge will leave his reshuffle until the last minute.

Brendan O'Shaughnessy is back after missing the last game because of a family funeral and Mike Smith returns after being cup-tied.

Secretary John Maher said: "It's a pity that these lads are out when we are in the middle of a decent run."

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