Blues defender could be back by January

Leek Town manager Lee Casswell is hoping defender Dan Smith could be back in action in the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League by the New Year after receiving a positive report from the medical staff at Crewe Alexandra on his damaged knee.

The 28-year-old, pictured, was hurt during the 4-1 win at Stocksbridge Park Steels at the end of October and as a result of the assessment at the League One club, his appointment to see a specialist has been brought forward by four weeks.

Smith, who made his 100th appearance for the Blues last season, is in his second spell at the club having spent three months at Harrison Park from August 2006, making 22 appearances.

He subsequently played for Nantwich Town, Rocester and Kidsgrove Athletic before returning to the Blues in July 2012 and going on to be named in the EVO-STIK NPL's First Division South 'Team of the Year'.

The Blues returned to league action on Saturday playing catch-up having fallen behind in their league programme due to cup commitments and posted a 3-0 victory over Brigg Town.

Despite seeing his side net three times without reply to move up one place in the table to eighth ahead of hosting table-toppers Sutton Coldfield Town at Harrison Park on Wednesday night, Casswell was just happy that they were playing for points again.

He said: "I was pleased to get back into league action and get three points on the board after our cup exploits. This was a decent fixture to ease us back into the bread and butter of league football scoring three goals and keeping a clean sheet.

"We were on top in the opening half but Brigg improved in the second period so credit to them for making it difficult for us. I’m just pleased to get a league game under our belts as we continue to play catch-up."

* Leek Town striker Andy Kinsey has been hit with a two-match ban after being sent off at Spennymoor and will sit out the club's home game against Tividale on Saturday and their Doodson Cup fixture at Stourbridge the following Tuesday.

Midfielder Niall Maguire has also picked up a one-match ban and will miss their game at Lincoln on Saturday 6 December.

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