Nailers welcome back midfielder with open arms

Experienced midfielder Chris Adam has been welcomed back to Belper Town by manager Peter Duffield with open arms.

Adam is on course to go straight into Duffield's side for their Evo-Stik Northern Premier League First Division South clash at Rainworth Miners Welfare on Saturday after returning to Christchurch Meadow.

Duffield, pictured, admits he's been missed during his spell as assistant manager at Sheffield to Curtis Woodhouse and is delighted with his return in the wake of Woodhouse's decision to quit Dronfield, ironically following his side's 5-1 home drubbing on Boxing Day at the Nailers' hands.

Duffield said: "I didn't want Chris to leave last season and I think we've missed him, so it's good to get him back."

Duffield also revealed on Friday that Adam could be joined by another new face in the Nailers' line-up following the signing of defender Matt Millns from rivals Hucknall Town.

Duffield said: "As for Matt, I tried to sign him a few times at Retford. He's tall, athletic and scores goals from set-pieces. He's playing well at the moment, so he comes into the equation too."

In other team news, midfielder Richard Stirrup has left Belper to join Sheffield while the leg injury suffered by defender Aaron Pride in the New Year's Day 2-0 home win over Mickleover Sports is not as serious as first feared.

Duffield, who has striker Shaun Tuton available for the weekend after he served a one match ban, insisted: "Aaron is up and about now and he will be okay, though maybe not for this weekend. He's got severe bruising on his shin, which can be very painful, but an x-ray showed there is no break."