RAMSBOTTOM manager Mike Kelly has hit back at speculation that top scorer Russell Brierley is set to leave the club.

Kelly is waiting to talk to Paul Mashiter from West Lancs League side Feniscowles and he is hoping to bring the frontman to the Riverside.

But Kelly says that does not mean that Brierley is on his way. "Russell Brierley is not leaving this club," he said. "He is not for sale. I am still waiting to hear from Paul Mashiter but if we sign him it has nothing to do with Russ."

Brierley has been interesting UniBond side Rossendale United and NWCL Division One high flyers Salford City. But he is suspended for the next three games after picking up a one week suspension for a sending off and one week for five accumulated bookings.

And Ramsbottom missed the target man on Tuesday when they struggled in front of goal and went down 1-0 to Newcastle Town.

"Losing a player of Russ's calibre is a blow but I still have options with David Yorke-Robinson, Steve Orrell and Jamie Taylor and we will just have to try a little harder," said the Rams chief.

But Great Harwood will be relieved that Brierley is not playing when the two sides meet at the Showground tomorrow (KO 1pm).

The two sides clashed in the NWCL Division One only last week at the Riverside and Harwood were thrashed 5-0, with Brierley scoring three. Former Rochdale player Taylor got the other two.

"I'm sure their manager Denis (Underwood) will have them up for it because of that," said Kelly.

But Harwood will be boosted by their own hat-trick hero Lee Slater who scored in the 5-2 Worthington Cup win over Darwen last time out. And Slater looks likely to lead the attack against the Rams as Harwood look for victory after losing their last five league encounters.

"Lee had been a little out of touch, so I'd had him on the bench but decided to start him against Darwen as it was his old club," said Underwood. "I played him through the middle and it worked, so I'll keep him there."