Rangers skipper starts absence early

Stafford Rangers captain Nick Wellecomme will start his absence from the team early with the top scorer set to sit out the next four games starting at Farsley Celtic.

The 10-goal striker is out of the trip to Throstle Nest tonight with a back injury, and will then start a three-match ban after a red card for violent conduct at Blyth Spartans 10 days ago.

Either Warwick Alexander or Aaron Lloyd, on work experience at Marston Road from Stoke and Shrewsbury respectively, will be called upon to shoulder the lone striker's burden until a solution can be found.

Rangers go to their mid-table rivals in good form, with one defeat in seven Blue Square North games and unbeaten in their last four away trips.

But boss Chris Brindley is not taking anything for granted as yet, especially after Hyde United beat Hinckley United to move within three points of his team last night.

The manager continues to insist that this is a relegation fight and, despite sitting 14th, warns that picking up points is paramount tonight.

He said: "Everyone forgets that Farsley were deducted 10 points for going into administration, without that they would be in the top 10. They are a good side and it will be a tough game. We are getting to a vital stage of the season, Hyde won as well last night so it's getting tight.

"We have just got to try and keep picking points up, we have got 12 games left and they are all important fixtures that we can't afford not to get anything out of.

"All the sides at the bottom are catching up, so it's vital we get something tonight."