JUST three places separate Bradford Park Avenue and Saturday's visitors FC United of Manchester as the Vanarama National League North rivals renew acquaintances at Horsfall Stadium.

Avenue moved up one place, while the Mancunians dropped down one in midweek, despite neither of them being in action.

A 2-0 defeat for Alfreton Town, who Avenue beat last weekend to move nine points clear of the drop zone, saw them tumble below Avenue on goal difference and, on the same night, Nuneaton Town picked up a point from a 1-1 draw against Gloucester City that took them above FC United.

Avenue and FC United have had some epic meetings over recent seasons, and another cracking game is in prospect.

There have been players who have moved between the clubs, and two could be involved on Saturday with the visitors’ former centre back James Knowles likely to start for the home side, while former Avenue striker Tom Greaves could be in the visitors’ squad.

Avenue boss Mark Bower said: “It was strange that we both moved a place in the league without even playing but that’s the way this league is.

" Anyone can beat anyone on their day, and the same will go for this game.

“It will be a tough one and FC United have some very good players, so we’ll have to keep to the standards that we’ve shown recently.

"What we’ve not done this season is win back-to-back home games and this gives us an opportunity to do that.”

If the game goes to form, Avenue could be all but safe with four games to spare as Bower’s men have taken nine points from the last available 12, with last weekend’s 1-0 win at Alfreton giving the club a huge boost.

FC United are unbeaten in their last two games but have taken just four points from their last four fixtures.

Emile Sinclair missed out last weekend for Avenue, while Wayne Brooksby played his last game on loan, so Bower will be forced into at least one change.

The manager added: “Emile was ill so he didn’t feature in the squad at all but he’s much better now and should be okay.

“Wayne has gone back to Harrogate Town after his loan ended, and that will be a big loss to us because he did well in his time with us.

"The rest of the squad is pretty much the same, with everyone coming through the Darlington game and then last Saturday without any major concerns.”