NIGEL Coates' constant squad rotation continues tonight when Colne continue their end of season fixture-cramming at home to Blackpool Mechanics.

The Holt House side still have 12 league games left, but the championship picture has become much clearer after they went out of the FA Vase 11 days ago.

"When we went out we were fourth in the league and we've beaten all the three teams above us since then," said Coates following his side's 2-0 win at Maine Road on Tuesday.

"We had a blip at Oldham on Saturday but I would have taken eight points from our last four games, so I'm very happy to have nine."

Title rivals Formby and Maine Road only have two games left of the league season and, respectively, they are 14 and 13 points in front of Colne.

It means that 20 more points will be enough to give the Reds the championship, although the heavy schedule could work against them.

James Webster, Gavin Cooper, Sam Hayes and Lee Slater were all rested on Tuesday to ensure they were fit for tonight, when it could be the turn of Scott Gizon, Carl Howarth, Steve Whittaker, Craig Whittaker and Jason Heffernan to sit it out.

Richard Walton could also miss out with a back injury but Ian Simpson should have recovered from a knock to take his place in the side.

Coates, who has also added former Nelson team-mates John Whitehead and Andy Bannister to strengthen the squad, said: "I've got 20 players to mix and match and that's how it's going to have to be for the rest of the season.

"It's not ideal having so many games and it's trying to keep everyone fresh that will be the problem."