BRADFORD Park Avenue will be hoping to return to Vanarama National League North action on Saturday after a nightmare week.

Stalybridge Celtic are the visitors to a Horsfall Stadium and Martin Drury's men are anxious to avoid further disruption from the weather.

After last weekend’s FA Trophy tie at Buxton was abandoned when goalless at half-time, the clubs were thwarted in a second attempt to play the tie by a waterlogged Buxton pitch on Tuesday.

Avenue were also prevented from hosting FC Halifax Town in a West Riding County Cup quarter-final the following night.

The constant state of flux played havoc with manager Martin Drury’s preparations and the mindset of the players.

It also proved to be problematic arranging training sessions in and around the games that didn’t go ahead.

The Avenue boss picked a positive from the situation: “It’s been frustrating this week, but the players have had a good rest, which may prove important with a tough month ahead with plenty of games to be played,” he said.

Avenue hope to play today in the league and at Buxton on Tuesday in the re-arranged Trophy tie, which will be played to a conclusion. The winners will host former Football League outfit Lincoln City in the first round next Saturday.

Avenue were due to travel to Worcester City in the league next Tuesday, so that fixture has now been shelved and the County Cup derby has yet to be given a new date.

Drury is now focusing on tomorrow’s league clash with Liam Watson’s Celts, knowing it is a chance to claw ground back on another club within their sights.

Bradford have climbed to 13th, while their visitors are just two places higher. Avenue are likely to have an unchanged pool of players.

Drury said: “The only squad news is that Luke Dean is still out with a knee injury.

“Simon Ainge is back running but I won’t be rushing him back into action prematurely.

"Our captain is very important to us. He will complete his rehabilitation programme and we will ensure he’s one 100 per cent before returning to action.”

Stalybridge have lost three of their last five league games and were knocked out of the FA Trophy last Saturday 1-0 at Sutton Coldfield.

Their most recent league wins were 3-1 at home to Worcester and 1-0 at Brackley Town.