WITH the Christmas period drawing nearer, Warrington Town are looking a little short on numbers.

The defence is of particular concern, with Dave Raven facing several weeks out due to a hamstring injury picked up in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Basford United.

Tyrone Duffus and Steve Jennings both played through the pain barrier while Scott Sephton (stomach) and long-term absentee Josh Amis (foot) missed the game altogether.

With a long trip to Morpeth Town to come on Saturday, kick off 3pm, manager Paul Carden’s squad is looking thin on the ground.

However, he hopes the weather holds off in order to get the game played on schedule rather than having to make the 350-mile round trip in midweek.

“We are running a bit low on numbers,” he said.

“Dave’s done his hamstring – we’ll have to see how it settles down but he felt it straight away and said it was no good.

“With something like that, you’re usually looking at three or four weeks minimum.

“Jenno played the second half on Saturday with his foot swollen up like a balloon.

“He probably should have come off but he didn’t want to. That’s not the type of player he is.

“Tyrone had his foot swollen up as well but we had to leave him on.

“I just hope the weather holds to keep it as a Saturday game and not a Tuesday game, because it’s a real camel ride up to Morpeth.

“We know they’re a tough team to play against. They’re in a good place themselves having won at the weekend.

“It’s another one we’re going to have to be up and ready for, but we will be.”

It is as you were in the BetVictor Northern Premier Division table with Yellows remaining fourth, three points behind leaders South Shields.

However, the presence of the previously unfancied Lancaster City and Radcliffe in the top five has surprised a few.

“To be honest, I think the league is playing itself out the way I expected it to,” Carden said.

“In fairness – and I don’t mean this in the wrong way – Lancaster and Radcliffe are probably the surprise teams.

“When you look at the likes of Buxton, Stafford, Ashton, Gainsborough and Matlock – they all pay strong wages at this level and you’d expect them to be higher up.

“We just have to make sure we’re ready for everybody. You can’t have an off day.”

“On Saturday, we were off in the second half and it cost us two points.”