BORO embark on a difficult four-match festive programme on Saturday when they entertain Gretna at Stainton Park (kick-off 3pm).

It's back to league action after all the cup activity of the last few weeks and Boro have a fair bit of catching up to do.

They are languishing in 19th position in the UniBond League Division One table, perilously close to the relegation zone, but they do have the benefit of plenty of matches in hand on their opponents, once the weather relents sufficiently to play some of them.

All four matches over the holiday period are league games, consisting of a trip to Ashton United on Boxing Day after the Gretna game, a visit from Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday December 30 and the daunting prospect of a long trip to Workington on New Year's Day.

Boro boss Kevin Glendon's only injury doubt is over striker Neill Hardy, who is still struggling with a knee ligament injury he picked up in last week's League Cup game at Chorley.

"We were hoping Neill would be ready for the Ashotn game on the 26th, but now it is looking more like Bradford on the 30th," said Glendon.

Glendon does have cover in the shape of loan signing Lee Evans, who got off to a dream start with two goals on his debut against Congleton Town last Saturday.

Evans has come on loan from Stockport County and Glendon said: "He couldn't have come at a better time with Neill being injured. I think he will go back to Stockport eventually, but there is the option to have him on loan for up to three months.

"It all depends on whether he's enjoying it and County are happy for him to stay out on loan, but if he continues in the same way as he did in his opening game we will be asking him to stay."

Boro will also be without skipper Mark Dempsey for the games against Ashton and Bradford as he is off to Spain with Manchester United for a four-team junior tournament involving Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United as part of his job as a coach with United's Football Academy.

"It's a big blow as he is very influential for us and we will miss him," said Glendon.

"Gretna will be our first league game for I don't know how long, so it's vitally important that we get a result from that one before the games against Ashton and Bradford, who are both in the top four.

"But we are just desperate for a league match. Lincoln, who are just above us in the table, have played 23 games, whereas we have only played 13," said Glendon.