Market Drayton face double selection blow ahead of Halesowen Town game

Boss Greg Clowes flew back this week from supporting England's cricketers in the West Indies to be bowled a beamer – news that Yannick Makota and Paul McMullen are set to miss out.

Makota, the division's third-ranked scorer of outfield goals, with 17 this season, is suffering the after effects of a back injury and bruised ribs sustained in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Lincoln United.

And stand-out central defender McMullen, who missed the Lincoln trip on Saturday, is absent because of personal commitments.

Their very different talents have been inspirational in Drayton's climb from the depths of the relegation zone to the comparative safety of 16th in the table after losing only twice this year.

But Clowes played a straight bat saying: "We've done very well to get ourselves into a position where we can survive at this level and league leaders or not, we're not going to slip back.

"There are seven games left for most of us so it's getting down to the nitty gritty at both ends of the table. I reckon that two more wins will make us safe - all the better to start on Saturday."

Town will have the bonus of skipper Nicky Porter, midfielder Kyle Blake and striker Martyn Davies being available again. Like McMullen, they too missed the Lincoln match because of domestic duties.