DENIS Underwood will be facing his old side for the first time since quitting Great Harwood last year.

But the Nelson manager is treating it as just another game.

"I still keep in touch with people at Great Harwood and they released a couple of players to me," he said.

"I didn't leave under any strange circumstances, but tomorrow I'm just looking to keep our unbeaten run going. I just see it as another game of football."

Nelson have climbed to ninth place in the North West Counties Division Two table after starting a run of eight games without defeat in Underwood's reign.

But Great Harwood chief John Hughes feels the sides should be trading places.

Four players made the switch from the Showground to Victoria Park after former manager Underwood took over at Nelson at the end of last year.

Steve Pickup, Shaun Bursnall, Jamie Smith and Glen Smith all joined the Blues.

Left winger Glen had potential but Hughes chose to release him because he felt he didn't always keep his eye on the game.

"Glen hadn't played at that level, he had only played in the Sunday League, but I gave him a chance," Hughes said.

"He was young and a good prospect. He's the only one we miss really but by rights we should be where Nelson are because they took four of our players.

"It's up to us tomorrow to prove we're a good side.

"I've got a full squad to choose from - no injuries or suspensions - and I want us to mix it a bit.

"We can play pretty football but, with the recent weather, we've had to grind results out in the mud and haven't been able to.

"We're not comfortable in the league but there are 17 games left and a lot can happen. We could maybe put the dampeners on the top sides like Padiham and Bacup, who we've still got to play yet."

Hughes added he looked forward to the derby games.

"A lot of the lads know each other so both sets of players will be up for the game," he said.

"It's good to have derbies because it gets people talking and maybe encourages a bigger crowd than normal.

"I like them even more when we win though!"

Nelson, who missed out on a bid for Colne striker George Craddock, welcome back full back Chris Livesey after he recovered from a head injury as well as Daniel Whittaker, but they will be without Dave Lee and Paul Sconce.