CLITHEROE manager Dave Burgess is praying the healing hands of physio Mick Hilton can once more come up with the goods.

The Blues are building up to their huge FA Vase semi-final clash first leg at Taunton on Saturday with Mick working overtime on three key members of the Clitheroe side.

Top scorer Lee Cryer is extremely doubtful with a hamstring strain which has kept him out of the last two league games.

Captain Barry Hart is struggling with a calf strain and new boy Nathan Peel, the former Burnley player, is hoping to shake off a hamstring injury so he can make his debut for the Blues.

"I started Lee in the last round at Chippenham even though he was struggling a bit and he could only last 30 minutes," said the boss.

"I won't do that again. I'd rather he was fully fit for the home leg the week after.

"Barry's important as well so we're keen to get them fit.

"Mick though is a brilliant physio. I think he will relish the challenge.

"He will be working every night this week on the three lads to get them fit.

"He has been at Clitheroe three years, he's fully qualified and has saved us a fortune in physio bills and things like that.

"If anybody can get them right, Mick can."

Taunton are currently top of their division, the Screwfix Premier League, and have lost just three league games all season.

And one staggering statistic Burgess is keen his side don't add to is that Taunton have scored 110 goals in 27 games.

"That averages four a game so we've got to make sure we're ready for that. We don't want to add to that," said Burgess.

The Blues are no slouches in their own league, the North West Counties League Division One.

They are currently second behind Salford City and, three points behind and with five games in hand. Other teams below Clitheroe have games in hand on them, though.

After the trip to Chippenham in the quarter-final -- which Clitheroe won 2-0 -- Burgess is hoping for deja vu.

"We're doing almost the same as when we went to Chippenham.

"We will go down on Friday from Clitheroe and stop off and eat at the same restaurant for tea.

"I'm not into lucky charms and things like that but we like to prepare the same way -- and hopefully get the same result!"