KEVIN GLENDON and his match-starved men will be itching to get at Bishop Auckland at Stainton Park on Saturday after going three weeks without a game writes Steve Bott

The Boro were last in action back on December 28 when they lost 4-2 at North Ferriby and had two men sent off.

Leading goalscorer Jody Banim and left wing back Tony Whealing were the players red carded and they will miss out on Saturday, along with another suspension victim, striker Neill Hardy.

Glendon had another headache after training on Tuesday night as defender Simon Kay took a whack on his foot and is extremely doubtful for the Bishop Auckland game.

The Boro boys will have to curb their eagerness a little on Saturday, for as well as it being their first match since December 28, Tuesday night was the first time they have kicked a ball or done any training since then.

Able

"We have not been able to get in anywhere," said Glendon, "everywhere has been booked up. Even our own Astroturf pitches at Stainton Park!"

"The lads will be keen," added Glendon. "You could see that on Tuesday night. Bishop Auckland have taken on a few new players, some of them with Football League experience, and they are right in there battling to stay up along with Eastwood Town and Trafford.

"From the first whistle we have got to be aggressive in our play and go for the throat as quickly as we can. If we can do that and get the first goal we will be well on our way.

"We don't want to give them any hope at all. We don't want to give away a silly goal and give them something to hang onto.

"We are going to miss our three banned players, there's no question about that and I may have to change our formation because of that.

"And with Simon Kay doubtful, if he doesn't play we may have to change the way we play too."

Nicky Spooner stands by to captain the side, but there could be one or two surprises in store elsewhere in the starting eleven at 3pm on Saturday.

Honour, who has been in charge at Bishop Auckland for the last three months, has shipped in a whole batch of new players, mainly from the Middlesbrough area.

Left winger Martin O'Riordan and Craig Robson, who plays in midfield, are amongst them, while Auckland's saviour on many occasions this season has been goalkeeper John Caffrey.

Honour's first game in charge of Auckland was against Boro on October 2 when Boro won 3-1 at Shildon.

"We will have a full strength team out on Saturday," said Honour. "We will need it because Radcliffe are playing well at the moment."