JOHN Deacey says his Bradford Park Avenue side are looking forward to tomorrow’s Vanarama Conference North clash at neighbours Harrogate Town – but confessed to mixed emotions on a personal level.

The Horsfall boss admits he struggles going back to his home-town club where he spent so much time as a player.

Deacey said: “The players are looking forward to this one but not me.

“It’s always tough going back to a club that you’ve played 500-odd games for. It’s always strange because I’m a Harrogate boy. I was brought up there for 25 years.”

Avenue are just one point above the drop zone but they are hoping the derby factor can help them climb the table at the start of an important period.

Deacey said: “This is the start of a big eight days for us with Harrogate, then Farsley in the West Riding County Cup quarter-final on Monday before Kidderminster Harriers in the Trophy next Saturday.

“The squad isn’t looking too bad to be fair. It would be nice to be going into such a big game with more options but I’ll be picking from a squad of around 17, so that’s not too bad.

“I have got the usual players out – Nathan Hotte, Alex Davidson, the two Claytons Dan and Adam and Paul Walker – but, as always, it’s not about the lads who are out. It’s about the ones we have available, and Fernando Moke is back in after being cup-tied last week.”

Deacey has drafted three players in to cover for injuries – George Smith, who made his debut in last week’s 3-1 win over Leamington in the FA Trophy after signing on a short-term loan from Barnsley; Sam Patterson, who was released by the Tykes in the summer; and Moke, who has played just one game since signing from Droylsden.

“I thought George did okay on his debut but then he wasn’t up against a Harrogate – this will be a bigger test for him,” added Deacey.

“Lamin (Colley) also did well as he took a lot of the pressure off Chib (Chilaka) up front and boosted his confidence with a goal.

On tomorrow’s opponents, who have signed 18-year-old Hull City midfielder Ryan Fallowfield on a month’s loan, Deacey added: “Harrogate will start to pick up around Christmas because I think Simon (Weaver) is just getting his squad settled.”

“They are not out of touch and will be up there at the end of the season.”