SCUNTHORPE United winger Lee Featherstone could be the man to get injury-hit Harrogate Town out of a sticky spot ahead of Saturday's home match against Lancaster City.

The left-sided player was odds-on to sign a month-long loan deal last night to stand in for Lee Philpott and Colin Hunter, both of whom were struck down by hamstring trouble against Bradford Park Avenue.

Philpott is rated at best as 50-50 to make the bench tomorrow, but Hunter is definitely out.

"It will be a big bonus to us if he signs," said Town manager John Reed. "If something goes wrong at the last minute and it falls through I will have to play Ian Blackstone on the left of midfield, which I've done before, but it's not ideal."

If completed, Harrogate Town would be the second loan of the season for the former Sheffield United man, having already been at Conference North rivals Barrow.

Defender Mark Haran, meanwhile, has started training after his ankle ligament injury and could be back in the next fortnight.

Children under-12 get in free when accompanied by an adult for tomorrow's match, which will see Lancaster trying to be the first team to end Town's unbeaten home record and gain revenge for a 3-0 defeat on home soil earlier in the season.

Harrogate Railway are pleading with the weather gods for tomorrow's game at Thackley to be on in order to eliminate the memory of Monday's dismal Northern Counties East League defeat to Liversedge.

Manager Martin Haresign described the performance, which was characterised by sliced clearances, missed tackles and a lack of shots, as the worst since mid-September and said that everyone is desperate to put it out of mind as quickly as possible.

He said: "It will be a difficult one because they don't concede many goals and they are still in the FA Vase because of their strong defensive record.

"Unfortunately with all this rain, the pitch is going to be really heavy so we are just hoping it will be on.

"Everybody knows they let themselves down on Monday but know they can do better so we really want the game to be on."

Damien Henderson returns from holiday to bolster the side, but Phil Turner is still unavailable and Lyle Hillier and Robbie Whellans are both looking at lengthy spells on the sidelines with their respective injuries.

Third-place chasers Goole are at full strength for their match at Maltby Main although manager Paul Marshall is still on the lookout for some new faces.

Marshall has put seven days notice in for a left midfielder and striker among others with the hope of keeping his current squad on their toes in their bid for promotion.

But Maltby, complete with new manager Wilf Race, represent the immediate problem.

He said: "It's always difficult playing against a team with a new manager because they are all out to impress but we have got to look at the recent form and we would hope to win."

Pickering Town host mid-table Shirebrook Town with hopes of getting back into the top four with a win, while Selby Town, currently second on goal difference, are also at home to sixth-placed Long Eaton United.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, January 07, 2005