ANDY Woodward is set to make his debut tomorrow as Chorley look to bounce back from last Saturday's defeat at Matlock Town.

The Magpies defence should thrive on Woodward's experience and presence for the visit of Bishop Auckland, after going down 4-0 to the UniBond Division One leaders.

Captain Ian Leather is still likely to be missing after his father was seriously injured in a car accident, so Woodward is set to step in to his position.

But although the former Crewe and Northwich defender is a welcome addition to the squad, Chorley boss Mark Patterson is more desperate to toughen up his midfield.

He said: "We are lacking steel right throughout the middle at the moment, but players aren't easy to pick up at this time of year.

"If a club has two or three surplus players managers will keep them on just to get through Christmas but we'll keep looking.

"We've got to start picking things up, not through playing football on dodgy pitches, but by battling. We haven't got enough battlers in the team so I'll be addressing that."

Lee Bracey is also likely to return to replace former Rossendale man John Gillies, who stood in for the goalkeeper at Matlock last weekend.

Winger Matthew Edgington has also completed his move from Curzon Ashton while Alex Porter is the latest departure, to Salford City.