Saturday's Blue Square North preview

Read all the team news ahead of Saturday afternoon's exciting round of Blue square North fixtures.

Blyth Spartans v Workington

Blyth's mini run of good results ended with a 1-0 home defeat from Blue Square North leaders Harrogate Town.They'll now have to pick themselves up, shake off the Christmas lethargy and prepare for the visit of Workington, who lost their Boxing Day clash at Leigh RMI.

Boston United v Alfreton Town

Boston United skipper Paul Ellender has asked that the fans get behind the Pilgrims, despite finding themselves on the wrong end of a six-match losing streak.

The club's skipper is adamant that they will win the crunch Blue Square North clash against Alfreton Town, thereby finishing 2007 on a high note.

Ellender told the club's official website: "We have lost six straight matches and the lads are all hurting because of that.

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law has been handed a double boost ahead of this Saturday's trip.

The Reds boss has secured the services of his son Josh whose three-month loan period from Chesterfield has been extended to the end of the season and he has also signed experienced Marseille-born defender Georges Santos.

Hucknall v Gainsborough

Hucknall lead Gainsborough by a slender two-point margin in the Blue Square North standings and will be hoping that they can use their home advantage to stretch that lead to five points.

Gainsborough caretaker manager Steve Charles comes up against an old acquaintance in Hucknall boss Dave Lloyd, who was assistant manager to former Blues boss Paul Mitchell at the Northolme.

Before Lloyd took charge the Nottinghamshire side had been struggling badly, losing eight and drawing one of their first nine games, but they are now comfortably ensconced in midtable.

Hyde v Harrogate Town

This is a top of the table clash in the Blue Square North as Harrogate Town travel to Hyde United.

Town are sitting at the top of the table, with Hyde just two points behind having played one more game.

Town won 1-0 at Blyth Spartans on Boxing Day while Hyde suffered a 3-1 home defeat in the derby against Stalybridge Celtic.

Leigh RMI v Stalybridge

Leigh RMI secured only their third win of the season as they beat Workington 2-1 on Boxing Day, a result that lifted them off the bottom of the Blue square North table. For Stalybridge this game comes sandwiched between two fixtures against derby rivals Hyde United, the first of which they won 3-1 on Boxing Day.

Ashley Winn's three match suspension will kick in for the three festive fixtures, however, this means that Lee Ellington and Mark Haran should be fit again, in addition, James Dean's loan spell has been extended

Nuneaton v Redditch

Nuneaton currently occupy sixth spot on the Blue Square North table, although they trail league leaders Harrogate by ten points. Nonetheless, a play-off spot is still a very real possibility and they will fancy their chances of getting all three points against Redditch.

The visitors will be looking over their shoulders at the relegation zone, finding themselves just seven points above bottom.

Solihull Moors v Hinckley Utd

Damson Park will witness a relegation scrap on Saturday as 19th placed Solihull host rock-bottom Hinckley. Three points will be like golddust to either side but a draw looks like the most likely outcome.

Southport v Barrow

Southport, unbeaten all season at Haig Avenue, conclude 2007 at home to Barrow on Saturday in the Blue Square North. Manager Peter Davenport will be running through a light, tactical session after the tough Boxing Day win over Burscough. Kevin Lee will have his gashed leg checked out by physio Steve Whitehall.

Barrow could give new signings Jason Walker & Paul Brown a run-out.

Tamworth v Kettering

Tamworth moved into the top half of the table for just the second time since August following the goalless encounter with fifth placed AFC Telford United on Boxing Day.

Next for The Lambs is the visit of 3rd placed Kettering, who are in fine form at the moment.

Vauxhall Motors v Burscough

Burscough will be hoping to erase the memory of a boxing day defeat at Southport against struggling Vauxhall Motors in the Blue Square North.

Burscough will welcome back Matty Mcginn and former Motor Brian Moogan to the squad as both were suspended against Southport.