WHARFEDALE coach Jon Feeley wants the home crowd to become their 16th man as they take on fifth-placed Richmond on Saturday in SSE National League One.

The injury-hit Greens have lost their last two matches, and Feeley said: "Richmond have invested heavily but if we play with spirit and get the crowd behind us, we can make life difficult for any team that comes to The Avenue."

Choices for Wharfedale's selection committee have been severely restricted over the past two weeks but Feeley and company should have more options at their disposal this weekend after injuries and a virus have taken a toll.

He said: "Chris Steel only lasted 15 minutes at Cinderford last weekend because of a virus – the last thing we want is that affecting us on top of our injuries – while Matt Van Sertima was kept away because of a virus and a 'dead leg'.

"But we have Matt Beesley available again after his dismissal at Fylde the previous week. He had a prior clean disciplinary record and there was provocation, so he only received a one-game ban, which was the 27-17 loss at Cinderford.

"Taylor Prell is also back after an ankle injury, while we will have to assess Adam Howard, who came off with a knee injury against Cinderford.

"But Phil Woodhead's calf continues to be a problem and we may have to look for a long-term solution."

Prell and Beesley apart, Wharfedale also welcome back fly half Jamie Guy after concussion, while there is a significant boost in the back row, where Jack Barnard makes his seasonal debut, having made several appearances this season for Yorkshire Carnegie.

Two successive away defeats have dropped Otley from fourth to six in SSE National League Two North, so they will be glad to get back home, where they face bottom club Stockport, knowing they have won four out of five this season at Cross Green.