Cannock veteran Dave Womble has handed the club a timely boost by announcing he will stay next season – even if they are relegated.

Liam Hickey’s men look odds on to drop into the second division, as they languish in the bottom two with just two matches to play.

But Womble has lifted the mood ahead of Saturday’s must-win clash with Coventry and North Warwicks by announcing his intention to stay on.

The club will also be free to sign a new overseas player for next season as well as keeping Aussie star Mike Talbot.

Talbot said: “It’s great news that Dave has said he will stay regardless of what division we’re in.

“If we do go down, then Dave is the kind of experienced player we need around, to give ourselves the best possible chance of getting straight back.

“He will be a big help to some of the younger players. It’s also good that I’ll be playing as an English-qualified player next season, so the club will be able to bring in another overseas player to strengthen us.”

Talbot admitted his side faced an uphill battle to save themselves from relegation – Cannock go into Saturday’s match 29 points behind the safety line.

To make matters worse, weather forecasts suggest they could be denied the chance to pick up the 25-point win they need.

Talbot said: “The forecast isn’t good, so it might be taken out of our hands. But the game is at home, which works in our favour, as we’ve been able to ask our groundsman to prepare the pitch early, so it’s ready if there are any breaks in the rain.

“If the game’s played we’ll need to perform, because if we go down it will be because of poor batting in the last 10 weeks.

“We’ve bowled superbly all season but just not scored enough runs. I include myself and the other senior players in that.

“A few of us have bowled well but not done it with the bat.”

Elsewhere in division one, promotion outsiders Old Hill and Halesowen head to Harborne and Dorridge respectively.

Both fourth-placed Old Hill and fifth-placed Halesowen retain mathematical hopes of a top-two finish but realistically their hopes are slim.