No plump turkeys warns Rangers boss

Stafford Rangers boss Greg Clowes has warned there will 'nowhere to hide' for the players who come back after Christmas stuffed like turkeys.

Rangers are next in action on Boxing Day, where they travel to Nantwich in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

But Clowes will be dragging his players back in the day after the game for training and, again, on December 29.

The manager wants his players in top shape for the New Year Bank Holiday derby on January 2, where Hednesford are the visitors to Marston Road.

And Clowes will be straight on the backs on those that have "over-indulged" during the festive break.

He said: "They won't stop training, it's probably even more important that they train between Christmas and New Year.

"Obviously, everyone over-indulges and, in semi-pro football, some players look after themselves better than others.

"You can't blame the players for having the odd mince pie and a few glasses of wine or beer, but some people have less than others!

"I haven't put a complete ban on that but we encourage them to be careful.

"You will soon be found out if you have drank too much, there certainly won't be anywhere to hide!"

Clowes won't be able to stop Anthony Maguire enjoying a festive break, as the utility man has gone away on his honeymoon.

But the Rangers boss' only Christmas wish is that his side leapfrog Nantwich with a win on Boxing Day and, possibly, into the top 10.

He said: "Again, we are playing a team that are very similar to us, but are two points ahead of us with the same games played.

"The incentive for us is that, if we can get three points there, it would take us above them in the table.

"That's our short-term target, just for the next game, that we have got an opportunity to put another team below us."

Rangers have released Liam Shotton ahead of the festive schedule so the striker can rejoin his former club Kidsgrove, whom he left in the summer.