Top match in the Cumbria Conference tomorrow will be at Hensingham where the League leaders entertain in-form Millom.
The West Cumbrians are 100 per cent after five games while Millom have won three in a row after two early defeats.
Hensingham coach Andrew Smith said: “We are still carrying a few injuries in the squad. We were hopeful of getting some back but unfortunately that hasn’t happened.
“We picked-up some injuries again last week which has meant we’ve had to bring in some lads from the A team. I’m also awaiting news on a couple of lads who may have to work.”
Millom coach Brad Crellin said: “We have a few missing through injury unfortunately. Jonathan Hodgson is nursing a broken jaw, Hadley Thompson is struggling with a groin injury so will be rested and Ricky Donoghue is unavailable.
“We have a couple more to have fitness tests but the good news is that we have Jude Lupton in on dual registration from Workington Town.”
There’s a good West Cumbrian derby in prospect at the Athletic Ground where Maryport have Distington as visitors.
Maryport coach Mark Foster expects a much better result than last week when his side conceded 70 points at Barrow Island.
But they were desperately short of players on that occasion and the club won many plaudits for putting out two teams when they were short of so many players when most clubs would have conceded.
Foster said: “There’s no Aintree or Cheltenham this week and we were able to name 20 for the A team game against Dalton A leadfing three out from those available.
“We had 17 available for first team and Liam Anderson is back for the first time since picking-up an elbow injury late last season nwhich ruled him out of the three finals against Seaton.
“Captaion Scott Atherton misses out withy work commitments and Joe Baker is unavailable but is due to return next week.
“Of those that missed out last week most are back in contention although Chris Ivison will be out for a few months with a dislocated shoulder.”
Distington had started the season well under new coach Ryan Hodgson and were gritty losers to Millom last week in an excellent contest.
Hodgson said: “I think we are no different to how other teams are at the minute with quite a long injury list. We have quite a few noticeable absentees for the game at Maryport with around 14 players unavailable.
“It’s proving a demanding League and physical one as well. But it does give chances to lads who have had limited game to step up and try to make the jersey theirs for games going forward.”
Dalton have started the season confidently and will be looking for a fifth straight win when they take-on local rivals Ulverston.
Paul Armsytrong, the Dalton coach said: “We will be making a few changes for the trip to Ulverston as we have some holidays and injuries, while a referee shortage means we will be kicking off at 12-30pm.
“Cavan Armstrong, Tom Sharpe, Elliot Bibby and Callum Leach are all unavailable due to planned trips away.
“In addition we have a number still out with injuries including Joe Crarey (hamstring), Shane Sanderson (ribs) and Jack Crarey whose season is definitely over after a scan revealed another rupture of his MCL.
“Coming back into the squad we have Sam Atkinson, Pat Kelly and Ioan Hayes, however newly-selected England Community Lions player Rio York, who was expected to make the squad for a first team debut, can’t now make the early kick-off due to the England training schedule.
“Devon Hartley will make the 17 in his place after impressing in training over recent weeks.”
Ulverston coach Marc Storey said: “It’s going to be a tough game for us because Dalton have started the season well but we know who their danger players are.
“We are doing it tough this year with a brand new team and small squad, but the lads are giving it their all so I can’t ask for anymore.
“The senior players in the side are bringing on the younger lads like Finn Hood, Rob Pike, Alex Grimshaw and Will Jackson who are getting better every game they play at this level.
“Having Jonny Hutton, Dave Cowsill and Brad Williamson back this week is a massive boost although we are without Evan Foster (injured) and James Irving (away).”
Seaton Rangers continue to have availability problems and have again had to postpone their A team game.
The first team travel to Barrow Island with coach Neil Frazer saying: “We have 21 unavailable so just 16 for the Barrow Island game.
“We will have three wingers on the bench and only three middles for the game and one of them is 47-years-old and coming out of retirement.”
The other fixture sees Ellenborough Rangers travelling to Hindpool with both sides having gathered two wins so far.
Elbra’s Paul Gorge said: “We are on similar lines to last week apart from the addition of Andy Ostle and Gary Taylor who are returning from injury.”
