GUISELEY boss Mark Bower believes the quality of his squad, rather than the depth of it, has helped them overcome their early-season injury setbacks.

The Lions' two main centre backs both suffered injuries, one of them long-term, in the final friendly fixture and two of the players Bower is looking to for goals this term have also missed some or all of the opening three games.

And yet, Guiseley have yet to concede and already have a handful of goals.

Bower said: "Given the turmoil the week before the season started, we have done well over the three games – but we have to build on that."

The boss knows that, with six points on offer over the Bank Holiday weekend, things can rapidly unravel if standards drop by even one per cent.

"We have got good quality and excellent versatility in our squad and that is what has helped us keep clean sheets in all three games," said Bower.

"Ben Parker has the experience and pedigree to play in more than one position and he has moved into the centre alongside Danny Ellis, who is so dependable.

"Danny hadn't played a lot of football in pre-season, so we weren't expecting him to have to play right from the start. But with what happened to the other two Dannys (Lowe, groin injury; Hall, broken leg) he has had to.

"But with those two in the centre and Alex McQuade coming in and doing well along with Andy Holdsworth, we have been strong at the back – and with probably the best keeper in the league behind them. I think Steve Drench is excellent.

"I spoke to Danny Lowe the other day and he is doing well and has made good progress.

"It was expected that he would out for three to four weeks when he did it and he looks on course for a comeback in a couple of weeks.

"We will asses it as it goes along because the last thing we want is for him to come back too soon.

"We have to be careful with him, as we have with OJ (Oli Johnson). He has played here and there and we hope he'll be okay for at least some of this weekend.

"We can't overdo the workload on him though. It is one of those niggling injuries we have to manage well and make sure there is not too much load put on him."