Rangers trio will miss another week

Stafford Rangers will be giving Michael Morton, Alan Nagington and Anthony Maguire another week to get themselves back up to match fitness.

Morton is on the road back after seven games out with a hamstring injury but broke down at half-time in a friendly at Alsager last week.

Nagington and Maguire have been away on their respective honeymoons for three weeks and are likely to be left out of the squad at the weekend.

They will, instead, be eased back into action in another specially-arranged game at Ettingshall next Tuesday night, as will Morton.

But the midfielder is on the mend after futher treatment and is working back towards a first-team return, Rangers boss Greg Clowes insists.

He said: "Michael has been to see a specialist and he's feeling a lot better, but his fitness is not there. He will have another game on Tuesday.

"The two lads are back now but, when you have been on holiday for three weeks, it will take them time to get back up to speed."

Rangers' other injury absentee, Fabrice Kasiama, has sought Chinese acupuncture on the ankle problem that has kept him out for two months.

But Clowes expects to see the winger among the crowd when Stocksbridge Park Steels come to Marston Road on Saturday.

He said: "Fabrice has been trying some Chinese remedies but I am expecting to see him at the game on Saturday.

"He can't play but it's good for team morale if he comes, I will have more of a chance to speak to him then."

The Rangers ranks are starting to swell with each passing week, with midfielders Dan Skelton and Glynn Blackhurst even left out last weekend.

Clowes said: "The competition for places now is probably as good as it has been all season, really. I have got to hold on to them now.

"Some are going to want to play football, some of them will want to go out on loan and some may move on."