The fullback was an ever present up until suffering a broken wrist in November. Since his recovery he has struggled to forge his way back into the side, with Paul Howarth and Peter Cavanagh performing well at right back and left back respectively.

But with Cavanagh about to start a five-match ban after accumulating three red cards this season, Hollis looks set to get the green light to return.

"I've been itching to get back. No player likes watching games," he said.

"But a team-mate being suspended isn't a nice situation to go back into the side.

"I'd rather go back into the team on my own merits. But it's a chance for me to get back in and play like I was at the start of the season."

"I thought I had some decent games at the start of the season.

"I had some poor games too at the likes of Northwich Victoria.

"But once players have completed their suspensions and recover from injury then the competition for places is going to be more fierce."

And that team rivalry could hot up even more if manager John Coleman does swoop for a new defender, as he has been looking to do for most of the season.

"New signings put pressure on to a certain extent, and I know John's been after a centre half," Hollis said.

"But the more players we get the better, especially with our disciplinary record.

"Steve Halford and Peter Cavanagh are suspended, Robbie Williams will be if he gets another booking and I'm only a booking away from a suspension too, so I'll be walking a tightrope when I come back in the side.

"There'll be no more rash tackles.

"But John will wait until he finds the right player and if it's in a position we need strengthening. He won't just bring someone in for the sake of it."

Coleman said no further progress had been made in his hunt for a defender but revealed how the players would benefit from not having a match this weekend.

"It will give the players struggling with injury the chance to rest," he said.

Ged Brannan (thigh), Andy Procter (knee), Steve Flitcroft (toe), Gordon Armstrong (shin) Andy Gouck (knee) and Paul Cook (ankle) have all picked up knocks in recent weeks.

Central defender Jonathan Smith is also believed to be carrying an injury.