PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes will be spending the Premier League and Football League’s transfer deadline day searching for additions of his own.

The Storks have been dealt a blow with captain Martin Parkes ruled out for at least six weeks with a knee injury sustained in last week’s defeat at Bamber Bridge.

Wilkes is working hard to bolster his squad, and has until 11am tomorrow in order to make signings in time to be involved in the game.

“We’re trying to get someone in,” said the Padiham boss, who admitted Parkes’ injury has proved to be particularly bad timing ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Evo-Stik League First Division North leaders Warrington Town.

“They have six or seven players who are 6ft 5ins plus,” he continued.

“It’s like land of the giants.

“They launch everything into the box, so without players like Martin, and Jack Overson who hasn’t kicked a ball since the end of September, it’s going to be even more difficult for us to deal with that.”

But Wilkes remains bullish in Padiham’s battle to avoid dropping into the relegation places in their first season after promotion.

“It’s going to be tough – they beat us 7-2 earlier in the season – but sometimes when your back’s against the wall you put on a performance,” he said.

Padiham have yet to record their first win of 2014 after three games this year.

But with 15 games remaining Wilkes has set his side a target of winning at least four of them to be safe.

“It would be nice if we could get something this weekend, but it’s the teams that are in and around us that we need to be picking up points from,” he said.

“We’ve got Radcliffe to play twice.

“We’ve got to be beating teams like that, and Wakefield and Ossett – or at least taking points off them.

“It’s all in our own hands, but it would be nice to start with putting three points on the board tomorrow if we can.”

Wilkes is also hoping the club can take advantage of a long away trip for Burnley, and early kick-off, with a boost to the Arbories crowd.

“It would be good if we could get a few extra people through the gate,” he said.

Elsewhere First Division North club of the month Ramsbottom United travel to Cammell Laird, while Clitheroe cross the Pennines to Belle Vue for their game with Wakefield.

In the Premier Division Chorley bid to recover from their shock loss at Blyth Spartans when they welcome Stamford to Victory Park.

AFC Darwen and Nelson bid for glory in the North West Counties League First Division Trophy quarter-finals.

Kenny Langford’s Salmoners are on the road to Leek CSOB for their last eight clash.

Nelson are at home with Holker Old Boys making the long trip down to Victoria Park from Barrow.

Barnoldswick Town welcome West Didsbury and Chorlton to the Silentnight Stadium and Bacup and Rossendale Borough make the trip to Glossop North End.

Colne are also on the road as they travel to the Barton Stadium for their clash with Winsford United.