ACCRINGTON'S chairman Peter Barrett has told Nathan Astle that there is always a place at the club for him despite the Kiwi star leaving to join Nottinghamshire this week.

The club did not stand in the way of Astle who was granted permission to join the county side by Lancashire League officials on Tuesday night.

Mr Barrett said that he would love to see the 25-year-old all-rounder back at the club some time in the future - and the feeling is mutual.

He said: "Nathan has been very good for us and there has been a buzz around the club which has been missing over recent years. I've told Nathan that he is more than welcome to rejoin us and he said he would love to come back."

Astle became an instant hit at Thorneyholme Road scoring 327 runs and claiming 16 wickets. But the chance came to further his career at Trent Bridge and he jumped at it.

That now leaves the club in the position of having to find a new pro - with Aussie Peter Sleep set to sub this weekend for clashes against Lowerhouse and Burnley.

Barrett added: "We've got to keep that buzz going and build on our reasonably good start to the season. Nathan will be sorely missed but now we have to look to the future."

Saturday's clash at Lowerhouse is the rearranged game from May 10 when the whole programme was washed out. And on Sunday, Accrington go in search of their first double of the season when they entertain Burnley. Fixtures - Saturday: Bacup v East Lancs, Church v Burnley, Colne v Rawtenstall, Enfield v Ramsbottom, Haslingden v Todmorden, Lowerhouse v Accrington, Rishton v Nelson. Sunday: Accrington v Burnley, Bacup v Church, Haslingden v East Lancs, Lowerhouse v Enfield, Nelson v Rawtenstall, Rishton v Colne, Todmorden v Ramsbottom.

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