RAMSBOTTOM UNITED boss Ken Bridge has selection problems ahead of his side's FA Carlsberg Vase first round clash at Squires Gate tomorrow.

New signing Mike Smith is cup-tied, Jamie Ramplin is suspended and Martin Hulme is the best man at a wedding.

But skipper Warren Brierley made a successful return to action after a six-match ban in the midweek victory over Atherton LR.

And United will be confident of a good result after a string of impressive performances recently.

"It's very important that we go as far as we can in this competition," said secretary John Maher.

"Although they are from the league below, there's no question anybody will be thinking we've just got to turn up.

"We've got to match them for effort if we want to make progress."

Meanwhile, United have failed in a bid to bring Mike Langhorn back to the Riverside on loan.

The speedy wing-back is currently on a contract at Accrington Stanley and although the Reds were keen to loan him out, the UniBond League have vetoed the move.

CHORLEY manager Ken Wright will not be going cap in hand to the Victory Park board in a bid to raise cash to finance new signings.

Wright was bitterly disappointed at Tuesday night's 4-0 thrashing at home to Trafford - a result which saw the Magpies lose vital ground in the UniBond First Division promotion race.

But the Chorley chief will battle on with his current squad, even if it means a reshuffle for tomorrow's trip to Harrogate Town.

"I've spoken to enough players but it's all about availability and what we can afford to pay them," said Wright.

"But my job is to work within the budget that we've got and that's what I've got to do.

"I would not ask the board for more money because they've been down that road before.

"Nobody was more disappointed than me (with Tuesday night's performance) and I made that plain to the players afterwards.

"Maybe it's time to shuffle the pack a little bit and try and get rid of any complacency if there is any."

GREAT HARWOOD chief Denis Underwood will return to the dug-out at Atherton LR tomorrow after snapping up keeper John Morrey from Maine Road.

Underwood has been forced to don the gloves himself for most of this season in a bid to solve a goalkeeping crisis.

But his search for a replacement for Andy Johnston was successfully concluded this week when he swooped for Morrey who he used to manage at Clitheroe.

"Signing John helps me in a big way because it's a lot easier to manage from the sidelines," said Underwood.

"We've been so up and down this season, it's incredible.

"But apart from Newcastle everyone seems to be faltering so if we can put two or three results together we can get right back up there."

Warren Peake is suspended, Mark Walsh is out injured and Paul Brown will need a late check on a back problem.

BACUP BOROUGH defender Paul Rigby faces five weeks on the sidelines after a dislocating a shoulder in Tuesday night's 6-0 demolition of Ashton Town.

But manager Brent Peters is refusing to let that get him down as Borough look to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches at home to lowly Blackpool Mechanics tomorrow.

"We're going to have to do it the hard way," said Peters who has lost a number of key players through injury already this season.

"But we've got to stick at it and concentrate on moving up the league.

"I was absolutely delighted with Tuesday night's performance and the players deserve all the plaudits.

"But we haven't won anything yet."

Keeper Adam Potts is suspended but Richard Stevens should be back in the squad.

DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes is set to wield the axe in a bid to get the Anchormen's promotion push back on track at Holker OB.

Wilkes was furious with his side after last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Woodley Sports and his patience is starting to run out.

"I know we've only lost once in the league and people might think I'm panicking too much, but I think a few individuals need a kick up the backside," said Wilkes.

"The players have had plenty of chances but one or two of them haven't taken them, and maybe it's someone else's turn to get us back on track.

"A few of the lads are going to be disappointed but no-one can have any complaints after the way we played last week."

Wilkes has a full squad to pick from apart from Denny Khan who is away on holiday.

NELSON manager John Bailey has warned his players about complacency ahead of his side's trip to Tetley Walker.

The Blues stretched their unbeaten league run to 12 games with a stunning 4-0 win over second-placed Castleton Gabriels last weekend - their first ever victory over the Rochdale-based club.

But Bailey fears a backlash tomorrow.

"A few teams will have sat up and taken notice after that result last week, so Tetley will be fired up for it," said Bailey.

"It was a great result and a superb performance but I don't want it to be a case of after the Lord Mayor's show tomorrow."

Kieron Roberts, Colin Wright, Andy Haworth and Nigel Coates are all back in contention for a place.

But Chris Halstead has been ruled out for another month with a calf injury.

COLNE will be aiming to put two disappointing cup defeats behind them when they entertain struggling Oldham Town in a First North Western Trains League Second Division fixture at Holt House.

But manager Denzil Hart has seen his squad decimated by injuries and suspensions.

Sean Giblin, Mark Canning and Lee Murphy are currently serving bans, not to mention long-term injury victim Andy Smith who is out with a broken leg.

But Reds chairman Dave Blacklock is optimistic the club can climb the table provided they can tighten up during the closing stages of matches.

"It's the last 10 minutes which have let us down in the last two games and we've ended up being knocked out of two separate cup competitions as a result," said Blacklock.

"Oldham have obviously made some changes on the managerial side and their results have picked up lately, so we'll be expecting a tough game. But this is the sort of league where one win can move you up four or five places because it's so tight."

ROSSENDALE UNITED have no game scheduled for tomorrow because of FA Vase first round proper fixtures.

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