RADCLIFFE Boro face a tricky away trip to Eastwood Town with highly-rated full back David Bean back from suspension.

But central defender and scorer of three vital goals in his last three outings, Simon Whittle is still unavailable with one match to serve on his ban.

Whittle would have been available for the long trip down to Nottingham had not the midweek fixture against Lancaster City been postponed due to City's FA 'UMBRO" Trophy reply.

Boro are back on a roll and this will be yet another gruelling away trip out of the way, where, if vital league points can be picked up, it could bring welcome dividends later in the season when Kevin Glendon's side face a bundle of home fixtures and main rivals must travel away. ATHERTON LR bounced back from the shock defeat at Harrogate Town in the league last Saturday to register a midweek 3-1 win over Congleton Town in the Unifilla Cup 1st Round.

Despite this, everyone at Crilly Park will be having palpitations about Rovers "losing-to-the-bottom-clubs-syndrome" in tomorrow's visit to Great Harwood Town.

Town have suffered a torrid time recently, having slipped into the bottom three with two more games played than their closest rivals, but LR fans - and players - have been made fully aware of that "Achilles Heel" this season.

Manager Dave Morris left out former Bury star Andy Feeley for the Tuesday win, bringing in Jason Banks at sweeper, and this was certainly instrumental in bringing about the win. Back into contention tomorrow come utility man Damien Kelly, now fully recovered from his broken foot and Mattie Brookes, also fit again after missing the last two games with a badly bruised toe. In the NWCL ATHERTON COLLS have another opportunity to repeat last season's giantkilling acts tomorrow with 1st Division side Eastwood Hanley the visitors to Alder House in the League Challenge Cup 2nd Round.

Certainly Steve Walton and Ian Lamb's lads will welcome the challenge against higher opposition with relish, despite a minor slip up in midweek at home against lowly Squires Gate in a disappointing 1-1 draw.

The unbeaten run was maintained however, regardless of a shock indifferent performance, and the Atherton lads will be looking to bounce right back to top form tomorrow against a side that has struggled so far this season to achieve a mid-table position.

DAISY HILL go into the sternest challenge faced thus far this season by Jimmy Hulton's side with 1st Division Blackpool Rovers the visitors to New Sirs in the League Challenge Cup 2nd Round.

Hulton said: "For the first time this season our injury list has dropped down to acceptable proportions. Phil Donlan is the biggest worry with his hamstring problem and he is extremely doubtful.

Other than that, hopefully everyone will be fit, although we'll have to take a late look at Keith Daly who has a niggling groin strain. Even Gary Cunliffe, who we had feared would be a long term absentee with an ankle ligament injury, could come into contention. RAMSBOTTOM UTD entertain Blackpool Mechanics in the Division 2 league fixture looking to build on last weekend's top form that earned a fine 4-0 win over big rivals Bacup Boro.

Team skipper John Fleming missed that win through work commitments but returns tomorrow as does defender Darryl Hardman after recovering from a head injury. Striker Andy Clarke is doubtful with a hamstring pull.

Tomorrow's fixtures: UNIBOND Division 1 Gt Harwood Town v Atherton LR; Bradford Park Ave v Leigh RMI; Eastwood Town v Radcliffe Boro.

NWCL Challenge Cup - 2nd Round Atherton Colls v Eastwood Hanley; Daisy Hill v Blackpool Rovers (2.00pm)

NWCL Division 2 Ramsbottom Utd v Blackpool Mechs (2.00pm)

Manchester League (all 2.00pm)

Premier Division BICC v Atherton Town; Warrington Town v Little Hulton Utd. Division 1 - Breightmet Utd v Whalley Range; Pennington v Elton Fold.

West Lancs League (all 2.00pm kos) Division 1 Blackrod Town v Bae Canberra; Eagley v Burnley Utd; Springfields v Turton.

Presidents Cup Preliminary Round (1.45pm) Tempest Utd v BAC Preston.

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