STEVE Mullen is calling on his players to stand up and be counted' as Darwen travel to Gigg Lane to take on league leaders FC United.

The Anchor Ground boss fears his side could be embarrassed if they turn in another below par performance as they did over the Christmas period.

Darwen lost back-to-back league fixtures for the first time this season and Mullen knows that anything less than their best could see them suffer a heavy defeat.

"My worse fear is that we could embarrass ourselves," said Mullen whose side lost to Great Harwood and Padiham during the festive programme.

"So this is the time for my players to stand up and be counted."

While Mullen knows FC United will be big favourites to inflict a third successive defeat on Darwen, he insists he will be happy as long as his players do themselves justice.

He said: "As long as my players give 100 per cent and play as well as I know they can, then I don't mind if we win, lose or draw."

Mullen has another reason why he wants his players to do him proud it's his first return to Gigg Lane since playing for Bury in the late 1970s.

"I had five happy years at Bury and this is the first time I will have been back. It will be a very proud moment for me and I want to walk away feeling proud knowing that my players have given their all."

Neil Almond could be out for the rest of the season after breaking his ankle against Padiham. Richard Fogarty could be out for a month with a hamstring strain while Neil Zarac will undergo a late fitness test.