Stand Athletic are back in action this Saturday following the Christmas break.

They kick-off with a trip to Pennington before facing local rivals Heywood St James at the Elms the following weekend.

Both these sides have shown better progress than last season and if Latics are to build on the good finish they had before the break then they must not take Pennington lightly, despite their reputation for being a place to pick up easy points.

Having beaten Fives Athletic 2-1 in the last match, the squad for Pennington should see the return of Phil Smith, Paul Walsh, Pete Morley, Ian Maudsley, Dave Clark and Hugh Davis.

Heywood, always a strong side, still harbour serious promotion ambitions, as do Pennington.

Following those two games there is a trip to Lime Lane to play second-placed Hollinwood, and January will be rounded off by a third away fixture, when Latics take on an equally ambitious Ashton Athletic, whose facilities indicate where they want to go.

So in all it's a tough opening month for the Whitefield side, but at least it will be blessed with a fully fit squad.

The reserves open up 2006 with a League Cup match at the Elms against Hollinwood Reserves, kick off for both matches is 2pm.