The big question for the followers of Bradford Park Avenue will be who will lead the team in tomorrow's re-arranged UniBond Premier fixture at Stalybridge Celtic after the shock departure of Wayne Benn.

The midfield dynamo and club captain put in a transfer request that was accepted this week and has signed for rivals Frickley Athletic.

However, the squad has been boosted by the re-signing of former midfielder Neil Grayson.

Manager Trevor Storton has been trying to increase the size of his squad but understood Benn's decision.

"It's fantastic to have Neil back, he will give us a bit more zip," said the Bradford boss yesterday.

"It would have been nice to get him added to the squad rather than lose one player as he comes back to us but that was down to Wayne. He needs a change and has decided it was time to go.

"I think it will be a good move for him and will be a fresh challenge.

"These things happen in football and sometimes it is for the best in the long-run for the players and the clubs involved."

Avenue were fortunate that results went for them last week when they were left idle following the postponement of the visit of Alfreton Town, the club they have prized Grayson from, because of a frozen pitch at Horsfall Stadium.

They remain fourth from bottom but had their rivals capitalised last week they could have been in one of the relegation places. That did not happen and they now have the likes of mid-table Stalybridge in their sights.

"The clubs above us all lost and the clubs below didn't gain any ground. The bottom two drew with each other, which was the best result for us, and Vauxhall Motors lost at Harrogate Town.

"All that left us in the same position but we have gained another game in hand. We hope that we don't have too many more postponements because we don't want to get too far behind.

"Games in hand mean nothing unless you make them pay and that is what we are aiming to do. A run of four or five games unbeaten with a couple of good wins will make a huge difference.

"That could start tomorrow but going to Stalybridge is a difficult one. They are all tough games in this division to be fair so we have to play to our full potential like I tell the players every week.

"We are looking forward to it and we can get something from it if we don't make any silly mistakes and we have lady luck on our side.

Avenue (from): Boswell, Quinn, Stansfield, Crossley, Heinemann, Smith, Grayson, Serrant, Walsh, Wright, Hayward, Maxwell, Oleksewycz, Helliwell.

l Bradford Park Avenue Reserves entertain Conference League side Northwich in a Lancashire league game (7.45pm) at Horsfall Stadium tonight.