Midfield duo set for bench return

Last updated : 06 February 2009 By Dane Vincent

Foot injury: Butcher resumed full training this week.
Nathaniel Wedderburn looks set to fill in for the injured Adam Nowland despite the return of both Gavin Strachan and Richard Butcher.

Nowland limped off early in last weekend's loss to Chesterfield with a hamstring strain that will keep him out for two weeks.

Midfield pairing, Strachan and Butcher are likely to be used as emergency substitutes after being given the green light to re-join the rest of the squad earlier this week.

With Russell Hoult (shoulder) and Kevin Pilkington (knee) also out, the comebacks of such faces come as a blessing because County would have been struggling to fill their quota of 16 players.

The midweek postponement was a form of blessing when looking at the injury issues, combined with a thin roster.

But, tomorrow's clash is still up in the air with the snow covered pitch facing an inspection scheduled for this lunchtime.

Speaking to Town's official website on Wednesday, their Chief Executive, Patrick Nelson explained: "That snow is acting as a blanket and protecting the pitch from the colder temperatures at night.

"That coupled with warmer temperatures during the day means the pitch currently is not frozen and is playable subject to the clearing of the snow.

"We'll be monitoring things on a day by day basis but as it stands the plan is to leave the snow on the pitch. If it melts the covers will go on.

"So we remain positive but clearly if there is more snow, or we see much more severe sub zero temperatures overnight this week we may have a problem.

"If all that goes to plan, we would be looking again for the help from volunteers to clear the snow on Saturday morning. "

The Silkmen faithful fought valiantly through the night alongside club staff earlier in the season to ensure that their cup match with Everton went ahead.

Whether a League Two fixture can ignite the same commitment will soon become apparent.

First, the decision lies with tomorrow's referee and the news should be announced early this afternoon.