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Brown returns to boost Reds

Weather permitting, Alfreton Town will kick off 2010 with a very tasty home game against promotion-chasing Droylsden at the Impact Arena on New Year's Day.

The Reds are itching to get back into action having had their last three scheduled games fall victim to the wintry blasts, and with half of the Blue Square North campaign still to go, there are hopes that it will be a happy new year.

Nicky Law's side were left kicking their heels over the Christmas period as both the Boxing Day and Bank Holiday Monday games fell to frozen pitches.

A trip to Droylsden on Boxing Day was called off after an early pitch inspection and the same situation followed on Monday which put paid to hopes of the biggest home gate of the season as the local derby against Eastwood Town was frozen off.

If the New Year's Day game against Droylsden does fall, the next scheduled home game is January 16 against Workington and that would then be a first home league fixture in five weeks.

The enforced absence from action has had differing repercussions for some players.

The one to benefit is the versatile Anton Brown who has finally overcome an ankle injury and he is added to the Nicky Law's squad for the first time since November 7.

Law said: "You want to be playing over the Christmas and New Year period, it is a bit of a nuisance, but it is the same for almost every other team in the division.

"Hopefully we can get the game on because if we don't, then it is another eight days until we can try again.

"It will be a very good test for us as games against Droylsden are always tough. They are a good footballing side but we always play better against the better sides.

"Fortunately, we have managed to keep training though and Anton Brown has benefited from the extra break. His return is a big bonus for us and means we have just Aden Flint unavailable through suspension.

"We have got a decent set of young lads who look after themselves and go to the gym.

"They have all been given a schedule to do and to be fair to them, I know they are good lads and will have done it."

Flint has suffered with the three postponements which means his four-match suspension has still got two games to go and he will now miss the Droylsden game on New Year's Day and the trip to league leaders Southport on January 9.

The other players who have been left frustrated are Steve Istead and latest signing Chris Shaw who is still waiting to make his Reds debut.

Istead's loan spell from Mansfield Town ends on January 9. The inclement weather conditions have meant the midfield man has only managed three appearances, two in the league and one in the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

Click here for the official Alfreton Town FC website.