Blue Square North

Tuesday 9th March, 7.45pm K.O.

Vics will be looking to take another big step towards the play-off positions with a win over Corby Town at the Victoria Stadium tonight.

Andy Preece's men currently sit ninth in the Blue Square North, but just three points off fifth-placed Droylsden in the final play-off spot. The Bloods face a tough trip to Alfreton Town this evening.

Sixth-placed Eastwood Town and seventh-placed AFC Telford United are not in action until the weekend, whilst Stalybridge Celtic in eighth host title favourites Southport - who boast the best away record in the league.

Vics have won four, drawn one and lost just one of our last six matches at the Victoria Stadium and will be looking to build upon that home form, as we play the first of three successive games in front of our own fans.

Preece has no fresh injury concerns going into tonight's clash against the Steelmen, who lie in 10th - a single place and point behind Vics having played two games less.

Therefore he is expected to pick the same starting 11 that beat Blyth Spartans at Croft Park on Saturday, our third win in our last four outings.

Jonny Allan, having joined in the warm ups in the previous two matches, returned to full training yesterday and may be available for selection within a fortnight following his recovery from tendonitis in his right knee.

Meanwhile, Corby manager Graham Drury has several selection problems going into tonight's game. He is currently sweating on the fitness of former Coventry City and Notts County midfielder Gavin Strachan, whilst striker Steve Diggin (groin) and defender Dean West (calf) both sat out Saturday's 4-1 win over Vauxhall Motors at the Rockingham Triangle Stadium.

Midfielder Leon Hibbert (groin) and defender Tommy Jaszczun (knee) are long term absentees and are definitely out.

The Steelmen have lost three of their last four on the road and taken just 21 points from a possible 36 on their travels. They have not drawn a single one of their away games, making them the only team to have not been involved in a stalemate in an away game in the Blue Square North this term.

They have won seven and lost five of their dozen away outings, strangely having scored as many as they have conceded - 22. Their overall record shows a similar trend, they have scored 48 and conceded 48 in their 28 matches thus far.

The man to watch is top scorer Leon Mettam. The striker has netted 14 goals this term, including an eight minute second half brace against Vauxhall Motors at the weekend.

"[It is] another tough game, another team who are above us. This run of games has been so tough, we’ve played all the top teams one after another. I think it’s only Southport and Stalybridge that we have not played in recent games. So that shows the run we've had and we've won 6, drawn 3 and lost 2 as we speak [prior to Blyth Spartans game]. I think the run we’ve been on has been fantastic and just shows how well we’ve done. So Corby is another tough game. But we played really well at their place and were unlucky not to get anything. They were resolute and got the goal in the end and won the game, so credit to them.