Refreshed Spalding United are bidding to get their season back on track when they welcome rivals Stocksbridge Park Steels to the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field on Saturday (3pm).
After two weeks off, Tulips boss Matt Easton reckons that his injury-ravaged squad is almost back to full strength as they bid to build on an encouraging first few months of the BetVictor NPL South East Division season.
With Jamie Jackson and Jenk Acar both fit again, plus the rest of the overworked regulars rested up, Easton feels ready to roll again.
He said: “It’s nice to have a few more options again – having Jamie and Jenk back is huge for us going forward.
“The other lads – the likes of George Zuerner, Taron Hare, James Hugo and Kegan Everington – have all had a rest after playing almost every minute of every game in recent months, too.
“We had a tough period before our enforced break and a few of the lads were running on empty.
“I’m pleased we’ve managed to keep everyone together and we’re only really missing a few players for the Stocksbridge game.
“We’re all looking forward to being back – and we want to return with a home win; there’s nothing better.”
The Tulips will be looking to complete a double against an always strong Stocksbridge side, having beaten them 3-1 on the road back on September 7.
Tenth-placed Spalding are three points and three places behind their seventh-placed visitors, with Easton insisting that Steels are the kind of side they have to beat if they want to look up the table, rather than down.
“We went there a few weeks ago and played well,” admitted the Tulips chief. “They are a good side, but we deserved the win on the day.
“I think Stocksbridge are the kind of team that will always be looking towards the top end of the table.
“It’s important that we have that same mindset. So, if we want to keep looking up the table and not worry about who is below us, it’s the kind of game I’d want us to win.”
Spalding are still without Lewis Brownhill, Neal Spafford and Archie Moyses for Saturday’s game, while Ben Greenwood is away.
Barring Moyses, Easton hopes all will return by the start of November.
New loan signing Owen Betts, from Notts County, is expected to be in the squad.
Meanwhile, Spalding are appealing the league’s decision to move their fixture with Frickley Athletic forward from November to next Saturday (October 26).
That date has been free since the beginning of the season and Easton, plus a number of players, are away for the proposed new fixture.
Frickley are managed by former Spalding supremo Dave Frecklington.
