CHORLEY manager Mark Molyneaux has earmarked the next three games as crucial to the promotion-chasers' season.

The Magpies face Radcliffe at home tomorrow, North Ferriby away on Tuesday night and Spennymoor at home next Saturday.

And maximum points from those three games - a massive ask - would give their promotion aspirations a major boost.

Chorley are currently in eighth place in the UniBond first division, three places and three points outside the play-off places.

Radcliffe, their opponents tomorrow, are third, North Ferriby are second and Spennymoor are 10th.

"The next three games are massive," said Molyneaux, who has major injury worries ahead of the game.

"I would have liked to have gone into the games with a full strength squad but that's football, you just have to put up with it.

"It is just a good job I have 97 players in my first-team squad!

"It gives other people a chance to come in, though. It is disappointing to have to change a winning side after such a good performance against Trafford last week.

"If you keep the same players they get a chance to find out about each other and play to each other's strengths but I am not complaining, every manager has to put up with these things."

Billy McCartney, Phil Bayliss, Andy Mason, Paul Varley and Lee Wilkinson are all on the treatment table and Joe Murray, who Molyneaux last week said was worth £15million, is also carrying a knock.

"After scoring two goals last week Joe is now worth £17million!" joked Molyneaux.

"It is worrying that so many people are picking up injuries. Last week in training they were flying about like madmen and a couple blew up, unfortunately.

"But it was an excellent performance on Saturday, a clean sheet and three goals."

Anthony Hogan and Lee Molyneux are both unavailable due to work commitments tomorrow.

David Eatock, Bobby Jones and Ian Barker got a full 90 minutes in a friendly against Stalybridge on Tuesday, a game a second-string Chorley side lost 5-2, as they fight their way back to fitness.

Radcliffe have won the last two league games and will be hoping to give their own promotion hopes a boost tomorrow.

"Radcliffe have some good players. Jody Banim and Neil Hardy up front are always a threat but we are always likely to score goals as well.

"Games against Radcliffe are always enjoyable to watch because they like to play good football."