Wellecomme to start for Stafford

Stafford will urge striker Nick Wellecomme to put his off-field trauma behind him by naming him in the starting line-up at Alfreton in the Setanta Shield tonight (7:45pm).

The 24-year-old appeared before Stafford Crown Court this week to plead guilty to charges of affray and assault, in relation to an incident outside a kebab house on January 12 - two months before he signed for Rangers.

The frontman is currently remanded on police bail, awaiting sentence at a later date. The good news is that the club are firmly standing by the player, who will lead the line in the cup tie.

He was a second-half substitute in the 1-0 win against Blyth Spartans but is expected to replace David McPherson and partner David McNiven in attack.

Assistant boss Chris Brindley will make the call as caretaker manager, with manager Steve Bull returning from a business trip to the USA tomorrow. He may also hand midfielder Jimmy Phillips his full debut, after setting up the winner in his first game for the club on Saturday.

Brindley said: "I will speak to Nick before the game but if he is happy to play, then I am happy to play him. The club will back him as much as we can. Its a private matter, not a football matter.

"Jimmy has done his chances no harm either, such was his impact on Saturday."

Stafford will likely face a tough test against their league rivals, who have been a force to be reckoned with at their Impact Arena home. The Reds are unbeaten as the hosts in five league games thus far and sit seventh, two points and five places above Rangers.

Brindley said: "Alfreton are having a good run, so we need to be at our best. It should be a good game and I am looking forward to it. Hopefully we can pick up another win for the manager when he returns.

"There is not so much pressure on us in the cup. It is a break from the league. All the pressure is on us to win the league games really."

Rangers have also been drawn with Midland Alliance outfit Coalville Town in the second qualifying round of the FA Cup, which will take place at the Ravens' Owen Street ground on Saturday week.

The Leicestershire side have tasted cup glory before, reaching the first round in 2004, so Brindley is warning his side to be wary.

He said: "At the end of the day it is a winnable tie. If we don't win it, we will get absolutely slaughtered. They had a great run a couple of years ago, so it will be the ultimate banana skin."