FC UNITED will hope to bounce back from their slump when they travel to rivals Flixton in Division One.

The breakaway club are suffering a mini-crisis by their own high standards and are looking to get back on the victory trail after failing to win their last three games - including their FA Vase exit against Quorn.

To make matters worse the one-time runaway leaders were knocked off top spot for the first time this season by Salford City, though the Reds have four games in hand.

But they will have to return to winning ways without new signing Jerome Wright. The winger starts a three-game ban after being sent off in his last outing for former club Maine Road.

Phil Brown is desperately searching for a striker ahead of Atherton Colls' home clash with mid-table Silsden.

With young hot-shot Anthony Pilkington joining Stockport County, and Barry Massey suspended and Seydou Bamba unavailable, the Colls boss is short of firepower up front.

Brown will also be without assistant-manager and influential defender Dave McCann (leg) but hopes to have frontman Craig Hobson back from injury for the visit of the West Yorkshire club.

Atherton LR will play only their second game in three weeks when they travel to high-flying Ramsbottom United.

Rovers have only played once since December 2, their midweek match against St Helens Town the latest to be the victim of the weather when fog forced the clash to be postponed.

One advantage of the Crilly Park outfit's inactivity is the return to fitness of several key players, including striker Rick Arnold who has recovered from an ankle injury.

Daisy Hill could move out of Division Two's relegation zone with victory against Blackpool Mechanics at New Sirs.