Dinning ready to hand back armband

Stafford Rangers stand-in captain Tony Dinning will happily hand the armband back to regular skipper Nick Wellecomme when the striker returns this weekend.

The 10-goal frontman is available again for the Blue Square North clash at Northwich on Saturday, having sat out the last four matches first with a back injury and then serving a three-game suspension.

Dinning has led the side in his absence but must now relinquish the responsibility back to the talismanic forward, who is set to be pitched straight back in at the Victoria Stadium.

Although the 34-year-old has enjoyed the experience, there will be no argument when his predecessor returns.

He said: "It's been good to be captain but it's not everything to me, because I shout and moan enough on the pitch without the armband! But, to be serious, Nick is the skipper and I wasn't kidding myself that I would carry on leading the team.

"I wouldn't want to take it away from him, to be honest, because he has done a great job. Everybody knows the work rate and commitment that he puts into the team and that is why he is captain.

"For me, I am just happy to play."

The Rangers squad return to training at Marston Road on Thursday night looking toward Saturday's trip to Cheshire, having drawn two and lost one since Dinning took the armband.

But the former Wolves player believes the team should be looking to take more for their efforts, starting with the next match.

He said: "We will just look to go there and play attacking football, with a view to winning the game.

"It's alright picking up the odd point here and there, but you would rather win one and lose one then draw twice."