Saturday's Blue Square North Preview

League leaders Kettering play host to second-placed Harrogate Town at New Bucks Head while Hyde United entertain struggling Blyth Spartans.

AFC Telford v Workington

Telford will be looking to close the gap on leaders Kettering Town when fellow promotion chasers Workington make the trip to New Bucks Head on Saturday afternoon.

Goalkeeper Ryan Young will start on Saturday after a specialist at the Princess Royal Hospital confirmed that the fracture in his knuckle was healing.

Promising AFC Telford United youngster Elliott Durell has been loaned to Rushall Olympic for 28 days.

Workington have snapped up Tony Stephenson from Wallsend Boys Club while Dean Nicholson has been released due to his ongoing travel issues.

Blue SQ have given the home side odds of 7/1 on a 2-1 win.

Alfreton Town v Stalybridge

Alfreton Town manager Nicky Law should have a full strength squad to choose from as his side face a big test at home to in-form Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday.

Law has Kyle McFadzean available again following a one match suspension and striker Brian Cusworth is also expected to be in the frame although he will undergo a late fitness test on a slight neck injury.

Celtic manager Steve Burr has just been announced as the Blue Square Conference North manager of the month for December after three straight wins, all of which were away from their Bower Fold home.

And the visitors will pose a stern test for the Reds as they come into the match buoyed by five straight victories in the league, the best record in the division of any team over recent weeks.

Blue SQ have odds of 15/2 on this encounter ending in a goalless draw.

Boston Utd v Leigh RMI

Boston United go in search of their third successive victory when they entertain bottom-of-the-table Leigh RMI at the Staffsmart Stadium.

Leading scorer Jon Froggatt faces a late fitness test as he looks to shake off a persistent back problem.

Matt O'Halloran has recovered from a hamstring injury while midfielder Mbiyeye Medine is also available for selection after being rested over the festive period.

Midfielder Stewart Talbot and goalkeeper Lee Crockett are the only two players definitely ruled out of the clash.

Blue SQ have given the home side odds of 13/2 on a 2-0 win.

Burscough v Barrow

The Linnets entertain Barrow at Victoria Park on Saturday as they look to build on the point they secured on New Year's Day against neighbours Southport.

Manager Liam Watson still have an outside chance of earning a promotion play-off spot by the end of the season but they will need to start winning, starting with this crunch tie.

Barrow will miss the services of striker Kevin Rapley after he joined Vauxhall Motors on a month's loan.

Blue SQ have odds of 6/1 on the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

Gainsborough v Southport

Gainsborough Trinity face a stern test when promotion hopefuls Southport make the trip to The Northolme on Saturday afternoon.

Trinity find themselves hovering a few places above the relegation zone and a bad result would see them slip even closer to the bottom three.

Southport have been in red-hot form of late and manager Peter Davenport will be keen for more of the same.

Captain Chris Holland failed a late fitness test on New Year's Day while David Prout was missing due to illness and Davenport is hoping he will have a full squad to select from on Saturday.

Blue SQ have given the visiting side odds of 16/1 on a 3-0 victory.

Hyde v Blyth Spartans

High-flying Hyde United prepare for the visit of struggling Blyth Spartans to Ewen Fields this weekend and a winning result could potentially see them claim second place on the Blue Square North table.

The Tigers are currently in third place with 44 points and trail league leaders Lewes by six points.

Blyth boss Harry Dunn and his squad can expect a tough game at the end of a tough festive period which has seen them suffer two straight defeats.

Blue SQ have given the home side odds of 9/1 on a 3-0 win.

Kettering v Harrogate Town

It's first against second on Saturday afternoon at The A-Line Area when second placed Harrogate Town visit league leaders Kettering Town.

Mark Rawle is definitely ruled out of the game and the impressive Chris Beardsley will continue up front.

Harrogate's game with Blyth on New Year's Day was postponed so the Poppies lead Town by four points having played the same amount of games whilst the Kettering's goal difference is far superior to that of the Yorkshire side.

Blue SQ have odds of 6/1 on this encounter ending in a 1-1 draw.

Nuneaton v Hucknall

Promotion chasers Nuneaton Borough will be looking to break into the play-off zone with a good result against strugglers Hucknall Town.

Kevin Wilkin is expected to give Bury striker Jordan Stepian another run-out after extending his loan until the end of the season.

Simon Travis will be missing for a few more weeks however, as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.

Hucknall are currently languishing in 16th place and have collected 24 points from 24 fixtures.

Blue SQ have given the home side odds of 13/2 on a 1-0 victory.

Redditch v Vauxhall Motors

Gary Whild's Redditch will be targeting all three points when fellow strugglers Vauxhall Motors make the trip to Valley Stadium this weekend.

The Reds lie dangerously close to the relegation zone with 23 points from 22 fixtures while their opponents occupy 19th place with 19 points from 22 games.

Blue SQ have odds of 11/1 on the match ending in a goalless draw.

Tamworth v Solihull Moors

Tamworth manager Gary Mills will be hoping he can steer his side to victory over strugglers Solihull Moors on Saturday.

Defender Andrew Teague joined the Lambs on loan from Macclesfield on Friday and the 6ft 2in Preston-born centre back is expected to make his debut against Solihull.

The Moors have struggled to get going this season and currently find themselves at the wrong end of the table with just 17 points from 23 games.

Blue SQ have given the home side odds of 11/2 on a 1-0 win.

Worcester v Hinckley Utd

Worcester City will aim to put the disappointment of the past week behind them with a win against relegation-threatened Hinckley United this weekend.

George Clegg returns after suspension but Ryan Clarke, Jamie Price and Mark Danks face late fitness tests after they all played with knocks against Redditch.

Worcester boss Richard Dryden has brought in two new players to bolster his injury hit squad on Friday afternoon.

Jonathan Munday has been signed from Kidderminster Harriers on a months loan and Malvern Town's former City midfielder Jamie Hyde, will also be included in the squad.

Hinckley did well to record a draw with high-flying Nuneaton on New Year's Day and will be looking for more of the same when they travel to St George's Lane.

Blue SQ have given the visitors odds of 16/1 on a 1-0 victory.