GUISELEY have been given a boost ahead of their National League home clash against Maidstone United with former Leeds United midfielder Simon Walton signing a deal which keeps him at the club for the rest of the season.

The 29-year-old initially joined Guiseley in September as a free agent after making 37 appearances for Crawley Town in League Two last season.

His record of over 250 Football League appearances includes stints with Plymouth Argyle, Charlton Athletic, QPR, Hartlepool United, Stevenage and Crawley after starting his career at Elland Road.

He also had loan spells with Hull City, Blackpool, Crewe and Sheffield United as his experience has been invaluable to the Lions as they have steadily recovered from their horrendous start to the season which saw them lose the first seven games.

They are unbeaten at home in their last seven league games, but boss Adam Lockwood will be forced to make changes as Guiseley tackle a Maidstone side which was beaten 4-1 by Dover on New Year's Day and sits just above the relegation zone – four points ahead of the Lions.

Striker Adam Boyes and skipper Danny Lowe are both serving one-match bans after being sent off during the 3-1 defeat at Lincoln City on Sunday.

On the plus side, Michael Rankine is available to return to the attack after serving his suspension for a red card in the 2-1 Boxing Day win over Lincoln.

Recent signing Elliot Green, who has been on the substitutes' bench in the last three games after making his debut in the FA Trophy win at Chorley, is favourite to partner Ash Palmer at centre back.