COLNE hit man George Craddock has been ear-marked as the danger man ahead of the NWCL Division Two derby at home to Darwen.

Craddock has scored 24 goals this season and has attracted the interest of a number of clubs, including UniBond side Bamber Bridge.

In fact, it was Darwen manager Steve Wilkes who told Bridge manager Paul Byrom about the young front man.

"He is the best striker in our division," said Wilkes.

"He scored a hat-trick against us earlier in the season and they beat us 3-0.

"So when Paul Byrom asked if I knew any decent forwards I told him about Craddock. They put seven days on him as far as I know but he hasn't gone and that is good for Colne - not so good for us tomorrow though!

"He is their leading goalscorer so he is obviously a good player and we will have to watch out for him. I just wish I had a striker like him to play alongside Paul Baker."

Darwen are unbeaten in 11 games - but have on only one of the last seven.

"You can look at it one of two ways," said Wilkes. "I like to take the positives but we are missing so many chances to win these games.

"We have hit the woodwork eight times in the last three games and if we'd picked up three points in just three of those six we have drawn, we'd be right up there.

"We have played loads more games than other teams though."

Colne are one of Darwen's bogey sides, and they haven't tasted victory against them for more than three years.

So the omens are good for Colne, who have lost their last two games.

"I believe we are a bogey side for them and it adds spice to the occasion that it is a local derby.

"We have lost the last two games but we have created enough chances to win them and I would be more worried if we weren't creating chances. If we can just start taking a few of them we would be fine.

"Darwen may have earmarked George Craddock as the danger man and he does his job exceptionally well but it is the other 10 players around him who set those chances up for him.

"We are not just Craddock plus 10. And we signed Euan Purcell last week who made an impressive debut up front alongside him.

"He hit the woodwork twice."

Colne have been boosted by the return of former Clarets defender Gareth West, who has been out of action due to work commitments since the start of the season. He is available for selection tomorrow.