SOCCER: Non-leage notes

Khan, who has hit the net 13 times this season, has been sidelined after pulling a thigh muscle during last weekend's derby defeat at Rossendale.

Midfielder Paul Curley could be pushed up front alongside new signing Paul Baker, who was due to have a run out with the reserves this week in an effort to gain some much needed match sharpness.

On the plus side, the Anchormen will be boosted by the return of captain John Howarth and centre back Lyndon Howarth.

"It's going to be a tough game because they're a big, strong side so we'll have to match them physically," said Wilkes.

"We've got to start winning matches now if we are going to stay up because things are starting to look a bit desperate."

Sweeper Paul Rigby could make a welcome return for RAMSBOTTOM UNITED who travel to Nantwich in the NWCFL Division One.

Rigby has been out of action for three weeks with a rib injury following a training collision with former keeper Paul Horridge.

Goalkeeper Steve Powell looks set to continue between the posts after an impressive debut in last weekend's narrow defeat at the hands of Clitheroe.

Nantwich are a good footballing side who have strung together some impressive results of late.

So the Rams will have to be firing on all cylinders if they are to improve on a miserable run which has seen them pick up just one point so far in February. Accrington Stanley joint manager David Hamilton is looking for greater consistency from the side ahead of their game at Boston United.

A win for the Reds could put some much-needed daylight between them and next-from-bottom Radcliffe Borough in their battle to avoid the drop.

Hamilton has been pleased with the attitude and commitment of his players since taking charge, which was typified in Wednesday's narrow reverse against Conference side Southport.

"If we can play like that week-in, week-out until the end of the season then we won't have any problems," said Hamilton.

"Boston are a very good side but we'll be going there with a definite game-plan hoping to nullify their threat."

Midfielder Greg Challender (broken leg) and keeper Rob Molloy (knee problem) are certain non-starters but centre back Jez Baldwin may be fit for a return. Definitely back are midfielders Paul McDonald and Greg Abbott, and keeper Paul Horridge who were all ineligible for the cup defeat against Southport.

Ian McGarry continues to ring the changes at the Showground but he would be a happier man if he could field a settled GREAT HARWOOD TOWN side.

The Harwood boss is delighted with his two latest acquisitions, Les Thompson from Accrington Stanley and loan keeper Andrew Johnson from Radcliffe, and he is still trying to make more signings.

Mick Crabbe, however, has left the club following the recent departure of Paul Baker. The pair used to be joint managers.

"I'm talking to several players at the moment but I am delighted to sign Les, he gives us a bit of experience and a bit of bite," said McGarry.

"The main problem is that I never seem to be able to field the same side in successive weeks but we aren't doing as badly as many people think.

"We have won two and drawn one of our last six games and four of them have been away."

Paul Whalley is suspended for Saturday's game at Gretna but McGarry hopes to have Graham Lightbown available again and Dave Sharples and Martin Horsfield both face fitness checks. CLITHEROE co-manager Denis Underwood will be giving youth a chance for tomorrow's home game with Manchester side Maine Road.

With Paul Lynch and Gary Butcher likely to be missing for the rest of the season due to ankle ligament injuries, Underwood will be looking to blood youngsters from the club's reserve side.

Defenders Matt Anderton and Neil Kershaw, and wide man Lee Slater, could all be promoted to the senior squad to join 17-year-old Ben Kearton who made an impressive debut last week against Ramsbottom.

But one player who won't be featuring is striker Paul Mullin.

The Blues' only contract player has gone out on loan to Unibond League side Trafford after being transfer-listed in an attempt to put himself in the shop window. Clive Dunn and Xavier Bowers are also missing through suspension.

John Rogers is set to miss ROSSENDALE UNITED'S trip to high-flying Vauxhall GM in the NWCFL First Division after picking up a freak injury.

The central defender pulled a groin muscle while warming up as a substitute during last week's derby win over Darwen and will not recover in time.

Manager Micky Graham reports no other problems for the visit to the fourth-placed club, the first of several games against top 10 sides 11th-placed Rossendale face between now and the end of the season.

"About two-thirds of our remaining games are against sides in the top 10 so how we get on will determine how high we finish in the league," said Graham.

Rossendale's run-in could also be helped by the signing of striker Chris Humphries.

Rochdale-based Humphries is currently unavailable on Saturdays because of commitments in the Manchester League but Graham should be able to call on him for mid-week fixtures.

For supporters wishing to travel to tomorrow's game, a coach will leave Dark Lane at 12.45pm.

BACUP BOROUGH welcome back first-choice goalkeeper Adam Potts for their visit to NWCFL First Division strugglers Ashton Town tomorrow.

Potts missed the midweek draw at league leaders Oldham Town because of work commitments and his absence was costly as Bacup let slip the chance to pull off an upset as they were held to a 2-2 draw. Also returning could be central defender Anthony Doran, who has been out for some time with knee ligament trouble.

With Emon Ratu unavailable, manager Brent Peters is hoping that Doran is fit enough to come in as a straight swap.

It's starting to look like a doctor's surgery at the moment down at CHORLEY'S Victory Park.

Already robbed of five first team regulars, manager Bryan Griffiths is likely to be without striker Peter Thompson for Saturday's trip to rock-bottom Alfreton.

Thompson has been struck down by 'flu and joins a casualty list which already includes defenders Mark Simms and Terry Stubbs, wing-man Colin Potts, and frontrunner Paul Higginbottom.

Peter Daley, unavailable in recent weeks because of business commitments, is again a likely absentee.

Griffiths will stick with the side which won through to the UniBond League Challenge Cup semi-final following a 1-0 replay win over Winsford in midweek.

HASLINGDEN are hoping to be at full strength for the visit of Atherton LR.

"We have a doubt over Jimmy Clarke but other than that we don't have any problems," said player-boss Steve Parry.

"We need to build on last week's win at Maine Road and head towards a mid-table spot."

Player-manager Ian Britton is fighting to be fit for NELSON'S NWCFL Second Division clash at Fleetwood Freeport tomorrow. Britton picked up knee and hip injuries in Wednesday night's win over Blackpool Mechancis which lifted Nelson up to seventh in the table. Dave Lees is also doubtful after going off at half-time with a dead leg.

Striker Francis Powell returns to duty with Southport but Britton believes he can make the necessary adjustments to his squad.

The two sides are yet to meet this season with Fleetwood slipping down the table to 11th after a bright start to the campaign.

DENZIL Hart faces defensive problems ahead of tomorrow's trip to lowly Daisy Hill where Colne will be looking to complete their first double of the season.

A win would also round off an excellent month for the Holt House outfit who have won twice, drawn once and lost once to get in touch with the mid-table sides.

However, goalkeeping problems have again surfaced for Hart with first-choice Stuart Coburn unavailable and two back-up keepers injured.

The player-manager is also under the weather which could cost him his midfield place and defender Sean Gibbon is out.

That will mean a chance for youngsters Ben Trufinzuk and Ross McNair.

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