Leigh RMI weekly review by Martyn Hindley

MAJOR squad reconstruction means that RMI will go into this weekend's all-important clash with Yeovil Town short on personnel.

Chris Ward may have signed for the club in a controversial move from UniBond Premier League club Barrow last week, but a succession of players have been

loaned out in the meantime, leaving the Railwaymen short of cover if injuries plague the side in the short term.

Manager Steve Waywell has loaned out striker Damien Whitehead to Irish side Finn Harps for three months in an attempt to get the former Macclesfield man up to match fitness, with attacking midfielder Ged Courtney returning to Rossett Park to spend a month with former club Marine.

With rumour rife that fans' favourite Tony Black may be on his way out of Hilton Park in the short term, resources are looking thin on the ground for the Railwaymen as they prepare to play a side they have never beaten.

The Glovers hammered six past RMI in their inaugural Conference season, but have since moderated their scoring to just six goals in three league games - all ending in victories for the Somerset side.

The FA Trophy holders should bring sizeable support with them as well as they currently lie second in the league following a 4-0 thrashing of Woking in midweek's televised offering.

With results and gate receipts scoring a double negative at Hilton Park, the Railwaymen were chasing a lucrative LDV Vans Trophy draw but, for the second season in a row, the balls were to let them down.

Last year, the lucky lotto paired Leigh with Scarborough, and fellow Conference opposition was guaranteed again with Southport the opponents for this year's first round at Haig Avenue. The match - to be settled on golden goal and penalties if normal time is insufficient - will take place on Tuesday, October 22 with a 7.45pm kick off.