AHEAD of two games in the space of three days, 1874 Northwich are set to be boosted by several returns from injury to help them cope with the gruelling schedule.

As they return to North West Counties League Premier Division action for the first time in a month, Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison could have up to five players available again.

1874 host Skelmersdale United on Saturday, kick off 3pm, before a trip to unbeaten Whitchurch Alport on Monday, kick off 7.45pm.

Co-manager Goodison is expecting his side to be tested in different ways.

“Having had a month off from the league, we’ve now got seven league games in the next month,” he said.

“We’ve got to try and kick on a bit and pick some points up.

“Once everybody has played 10 games, that’s when the league starts to come together.

“We’ve only played five, so we’ve got a bit of a way to get before we find out where we might or might not be.

“Sam Hind missed out on Saturday but we think he might be alright.

“We’ll have Mark Jones back, Jack Tinning and Harry Cain both came on last week so they’ll be back.

“Ryan Mitchell might train this week but it may be a little early for him.

“We know Skem are very dangerous going forward but can be a bit shaky at the back, so that’s one we have to be aware of.

“Whitchurch have had a great start – we’ve had them watched and they are really strong all over the pitch.

“It will be two very different games.”

1874 can now focus exclusively on the league for a few weeks after Whitby Town ended their FA Cup run on Saturday.