Will Boston United's walking wounded return for Celtic clash?

The Pilgrims were without a fixture in the National League North this week, and manager Dennis Greene believes that the fortnight without match action may be just what his injured players needed.

The Pilgrims ended January with a 1-0 defeat at Gloucester City, with leading scorer Dayle Southwell (metatarsal) and influential defender Zak Mills (Achilles) both ruled out of action alongside long-term injury victim Richard Jones.

And when Jay Rollins was substuituted after 20 minutes with a hamstring tweak, it was evident that the additional blank weekend would be welcomed by sports therapist Katie Cooper.

As United prepare to host Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday (KO 3pm), Greene is excited at the prospect of having more options at his disposal.

“We’re hoping Dayle will be back for the Stalybridge game,” said Greene of his 15-goal leading scorer, who hasn’t featured in the last six games.

“They said he’d be out for four to six weeks and it’s now been seven weeks.

“If we can get him match fit with an hour or so each game it would be good as he could be important for our run-in.”

Discussing Mills, Greene added: “We’ve got to take it week by week and see how that goes.”

Stalybridge are one of two sides the Pilgrims are yet to face in league action this season, the other being Bradford Park Avenue.