Injury-hit West End will give it their best shot at Heaton, says Liddle

Sunderland West End manager Darren Liddle has admitted that his side are up against it as they prepare to travel to Heaton Stannington this weekend.

An injury-hit West End side suffered a first defeat in four league games when Billingham Synthonia claimed a 4-1 win at Ford Quarry in midweek.

But Liddle is adamant that the defeat should not deflect from what has been a largely positive start to the season as he contends with a number of selection issues ahead of the trip to Grounsell Park.

He told The Echo: “We have started really well, and we can’t let the defeat against Billingham Synthonia get us down.

“We have a massive injury crisis now, so we are just trying to cope with that at the moment.

“We had 12 players missing against Synners, some could return for Saturday, but others picked up knocks on Wednesday.

“It’s a tough game at Heaton Stannington at any time, but we will give it a real go and try and get a result there.”

T h e re wa s s o m e go o d news for Liddle as Neal Bussey, Brad Wilson and Dane Burlace all look set to return to his squad for the game on

Tyneside.

Easington Colliery will be without captain Jack Pounder for their visit to Brandon United as he serves a suspension.

Striker Jack Devlin will also be missing for the Colliers as they look to bounce back from last weekend’s 3-0 home defeat against Chesterle-Street Town.

The Cestrians will hope to round off a tough-looking week with seven points when they travel to unbeaten Bedlington Terriers.

Colin Wake’s side followed that win at Easington with a hard-earned goalless draw against Heaton Stannington in midweek – but their toughest test could be yet to come as they face a Terriers side that have dropped just two points from their opening five league games.

Division Two leaders

Crook Town will be heavy favourites to claim a fourth win in five games when they visit struggling Washington.

Ben Jackson, Foster Garton and Taylor Crainey are all back in contention for Billingham Synthonia’s home game against in-form Newcastle University.

Top scorer Adam Lennox is a doubt for Jarrow as they prepare to entertain Tow Law Town.