LEIGH RMI face a crucial period still without the services of the influential Dave Ridings.

The powerful midfielder, who incurred ligament damage in September and is awaiting the results of a recent scan, looks likely to remain on the sidelines in November.

"Dave will not be back into the squad for at least another month," confirmed manager Steve Waywell. "He is exactly the kind of powerhouse in midfield that we have been lacking because we have too many players who want to play fancy football in the middle rather than the grind of winning matches like a Mark Patterson or Brian Butler.

"I have my eyes set on one person but we cannot afford him on a financial basis so we will have to do our best with our present resources."

Waywell re-iterated the importance of the league campaign after watching his side crash out of two cup competitions in the space of four days.

Before today's game at Scarborough RMI, currently lay in 15th place in the Nationwide Conference, just four points above the drop zone yet only six points behind the fifth-placed Doncaster Rovers.

"The lads know that the cup competitions are for the fans and obviously, club finances, but from a sheer footballing perspective, I would rather do well in the league and maintain our place in the Nationwide Conference," Waywell added.