Futures on the line at Turnbull

Whitby Town player-manager Darren Williams is warning his squad that they are playing for their futures ahead of Wednesday's final home clash of the campaign against Ilkeston, writes Andrew Snaith.

The Robins have already revealed they'll be trying out a number of reserve and academy players in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League meeting and Williams insisted he's looking to the future.

The Seasiders manager told whitby-town.com: "I think everybody's got a position to play for. We're now looking to build a team for next season that's obviously going to do better than we've done this season. I'm not saying this season's been a failure, because we've done well, [but] we've suffered for a disappointing start."

Town lost all of their first six league games, including a double against high-flying FC United of Manchester, but Williams has been impressed by his side's reaction since.

He said: "Over the last half of the season we've done very well but I don't think people can rest on their laurels. What happened this season does not guarantee them a chance of coming back next season. Nothing's set in stone - there's no guarantees that people will come back anyway."

"We've got to look between now and the rest of the season and see where we need to strengthen. People need to step up to the mark - you've got to be playing for your place for next season now. We're just looking to finish as strongly as we can."

Ahead of Wednesday night's clash at the Turnbull Ground, Williams also confirmed that promising winger Glen Lane,18, who's been sidelined since his debut against Chorley three weeks ago, is set to return.

He added: "Glen will be involved in the squad on Wednesday and probably involved in the squad between now and the end of the season. We need to speak to the player and see what his thoughts are for next season."

Ilkeston are just two points behind their North Yorkshire hosts, who are targeting their first top-half finish in six seasons. History is on Whitby's side, with six wins out of seven, at home, against teams from Ilkeston.

It'll also be the decisive third meeting between the clubs, after the Blues came from 2-0 down to knock their visitors out of the FA Trophy last October, only for the Derbyshire outfit to hit back with a 3-1 league win, weeks later.

Admission at the Turnbull Ground is £9 for Adults, £5 Concessions and £2 for Under 18s. Under 16s will be admitted free of charge if accompanied by a paying adult.

* Whitby have also reminded fans that it's also a last chance for them to pick up the final edition of Whitby's popular Blue Army Fanzine in Town's Club Shop and another opportunity to buy a bargain 2012-13 replica shirt, with prices slashed from £35 to £20.