EAST Lancs are keen to sign up Shanan Stewart for next season as the New Zealand pro continues to make a big impression at Alexandra Meadows.

The Kiwi all-rounder has played a starring role in East Lancs' flying start to the season, making valuable contributions with both bat and ball to help the club to third position in the table.

Now skipper Mark Bolton is hoping the club can secure the 24-year-old's services for next summer, too, after confirming that talks have already started.

"Shanan has really impressed us in the seven weeks he has been here and we are already trying to get him back for next season," said Bolton, whose side face Rawtenstall tomorrow.

Andrew Payne is hoping the real RAWTENSTALL turns up for tomorrow's clash. The skipper admits he has been frustrated by his side's Jekyll and Hyde performances - Sunday's defeat against Accrington proving the point.

He said: "Sometimes we are brilliantly and sometimes we are awful. I bet teams hate playing us because they never know what sort of Rawtenstall team turns up."

Todmorden skipper Jon Henderson is hoping the Centre Vale side can emulate their Worlsey Cup form in the league as they face bottom side Accrington.

He said: "I said at the start of the season that I thought we'd be a half decent Cup team but we've been inconsistent in the league. We just haven't played smart league cricket and we need to redress that starting this week."

James Morgan is away so Alistair Harrison comes in.

ACCRINGTON have made just one change to the team that scored their first victory of the season against Rawtenstall.

Brian Heywood, who has regained fitness after an ankle injury, replaces Moshin Ahmed from last week's team.

Henry Davids plays his last game for Nelson against Enfield before Craig McMillan takes up his place at Seedhill.

Chris Willan misses out for Nelson with Riswan Hussain taking his place.

And skipper Mike Bradley said: "Enfield have had a good start and will go into the game as favourites but we need to get back to winning ways."

Neil Holmes is the only absentee for second placed ENFIELD. Professional Brandon Hiini has hit form, while captain David Bracewell has praised the way his players are all taking responsibility with the bat.

"We've had a good couple of weeks. Different people have been getting runs and we're not relying on the same ones every week," he said.

COLNE manager Gary Hunt has been impressed by his amateur batsmen after urging them to support professional Greg Mail.

The hard-hitting Aussie - the league's leading run-maker - virtually won last Saturday's Worsley Cup clash against Lowerhouse on his own with his third century of the season.

"Greg has been in superb form but I told the players we need to support him and we've really done that," said Hunt ahead of tomorrow's trip to Church.

CHURCH skipper Phil Sykes admits the key to his side's success could be taking the early wicket of Colne's Australian pro Greg Mail, who was the paid man at the West End club in 2003.

Sykes said: "I never spotted any kind of weakness when he was here but, fingers crossed, we can find a way of getting him out early."

Sam Tucker comes into Church's side.

LOWERHOUSE welcome back captain Jon Finch for the trip to Haslingden following his recent wedding. Joe Hawke is also added to the 13-man squad.

Bacup, with pro Chris Harris in top form, face RISHTON who boast the league's leading wicket taker in professional Saeed Anwar Jnr, with 31 wickets, and they will be hoping he is firing on all cylinders again.

Champions Burnley host Ramsbottom at Turf Moor desperate to get their season back on track.

Jon Harvey's side lost their fifth game of the season at Colne and are 31 points adrift of the leaders.

Ramsbottom make just one change with Richard Read coming in for Chris Eardley.