Matlock wait on injury news

The Gladiators need just a win to secure a play-off spot in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

They face Nantwich Town on Saturday before a crunch local derby against Buxton, who are currently top of the table.

Captain Liam Hughes and Callum Chippendale are rated as 50/50 for Saturday's match, adding to injured trio Alex Wiles, Liam King and Reece Webb-Foster.

Goalkeeper Joe Young will also be sidelined after suffering a concussion in the win at Basford United last weekend.

Manager Paul Phillips said: "We won’t use injuries as an excuse but we’re not having the best of luck with injuries at the moment.

"Joe’s been great for us in goal, he’ll not make it for Saturday but hopefully he’ll be alright for Monday. Paul Cooper’s been out and had a couple of games and he’ll have his chance on Saturday. Liam Hughes’ knee has ballooned up so we’ll need to see how he is and Chippy (Callum Chippendale) missed the game on Saturday with an abducta injury he got against Morpeth.

“We always seem to be playing teams on a good run at the moment. Scarborough, Morpeth and Ashton were all on good runs when we played them and it’s the same with Nantwich. They’re a good team with a good manager and have players who’ve been there and done it at the top of the league. We know how they’ll play so it’s up to us to put our own stamp on the game.”