Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick has admitted that he tried to get Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash against Chester postponed.

The Lions manager explained: “We had three players in last night’s England C match against Belgium, Forest Green also had three and fellow Conference team Grimsby had two players involved.

“All three of us asked the Blue Square Conference if we could postpone our matches and all three of us were told no.

“If three players from a Football League club are involved in an international weekend, they can have their matches postponed.

“I was worried that the players might have their minds on England rather than the Chester match - one foot with us and one foot with England so to speak.”

England C manager Paul Fairclough named Simon Ainge and Stephen Brogan in his starting XI for the crucial International Challenge Trophy Group A clash at Zaventem, with Josh Wilson among the five substitutes.

England needed a win to make it into the semi-finals, and even then they must rely on Russia defeating Italy in November.

Kittrick will certainly be hoping for a response after the limp display against Chester when they host Bishop’s Stortford (13th in the Blue Square Bet North table) tomorrow and Harrogate Town (currently sixth) on Tuesday.

The Lions then travel to Bamber Bridge (tenth in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, two places below Farsley ) on Saturday, September 22 for an FA Cup second qualifying-round tie.

The Guiseley boss, whose team are now third in the table, said: “We are a scalp for opponents now, and Bamber Bridge will be a tough tie.”