Rest proves no cure for injury-hit Avenue

It will be exactly a fortnight since Avenue last turned out but, such is the nature of their injury list, the short break will not mean manager John Deacey has any of his players back from the treatment table.

The latest update is that Adam Clayton has had an operation to repair his hip bone, and the surgery went well, while it has been confirmed that Alex Davidson will undergo knee surgery next weekend.

Recent signing Chris Lever saw his specialist on Tuesday and was referred for another scan. Danny Frost (foot), Nathan Hotte (hamstring) and Nathan Turner (knee) are all responding well to treatment but tomorrow may be just a little too soon for any of them to return.

It is more likely that they will be involved in either the midweek West Riding County Cup tie at Goole or next Saturday's trip to Colwyn Bay,managed by Frank Sinclair.

Despite an under-strength squad, Avenue will be looking to bank three valuable points and pull away from Tamworth in the table.

Andy Morrell has been player-manager for a month but has not yet been able to turn around the midlands club's form and they are in the relegation places, albeit only on goal difference.

Tamworth have enjoyed just one league win this season but that was before former Blackpool, Bury and Wrexham striker Morrell was appointed. Yet they have proved tough to beat as they have drawn eight of their 13 starts.

Avenue will be desperate to put some distance between themselves and their opponents because only four points separate the clubs – and Morrell's men have a game in hand.

Deacey has picked his side up following a dreadful run of results in September but they have not been able to build a head of steam this month as they have played only three games.

Following a defeat at Solihull Moors, they beat title hopefuls Barrow – in what was their only previous home fixture during the month – and then picked up a tough point at Hednesford Town.