JULIAN Dowe will come up against his brother when Bacup make the trip to Oldham Town in the NWCL Division Two tomorrow.

Former Rochdale player Dowe joined Oldham in the early part of the season to join his brother before he made the move to West View as he bids to regain fitness following a knee injury.

"I think his brother still plays for Oldham so it will be a family affair for them," said boss Brent Peters.

The West View manager is disappointed at just missing out on Stand striker Micky Bartholomew who has chosen to join rivals Nelson instead.

"We thought he would be our missing link as we are missing someone who can put the ball in the back of the net," said Peters.

"He is a natural goalscorer who can get 20-odd goals a season.

"I wanted him to come and be part of the squad and be part of the competition for places at Bacup.

"He has told me though he knows Mark Canning and Nigel Coates at Nelson and that was one of the reasons he chose them which is up to him.

"But saying that I am not too worried as I have Nicky Taylor coming back after he sliced the tendons in his fingers. He is not a million miles away and he could be our answer."

Meanwhile Bacup have put seven days on former Rochdale wideman Jimmy Graham.

Graham had been playing at UniBond Premier side Lancaster but an ear infection has forced him to miss a number of games.

Graham is short of match fitness but Peters is keen to get his experience and talent to West View. He can talk to him now.