Rangers hope to get Tyree Clarke fit
Thursday 28th April 2011, 7:30AM BST.
Stafford Rangers are hoping to get Tyree Clarke fit for Saturday’s must-win relegation showdown – with boss Matt Elliott pondering using the attacker as a ‘supersub.’
Clarke has missed the last two games with an ankle injury and will be assessed during tonight’s training session at Marston Road, with the clock ticking towards the last game of the season at Stalybridge.
Rangers need to win on Saturday to realistically stay up and hope Hyde take no more than a point at Corby, where Elliott’s men won 3-1 last weekend.
With that in mind, the manager wants all of his firepower available for the trip, as Alex Forde and Craig Reid are already expected to miss out.
The Rangers boss is even considering keeping the four-goal frontman on the bench, with a view to introducing his pace during the game as legs tire.
Elliott said: “I rate Tyree quite highly and, when he’s on form, he’s a threat to any team in this league. He, perhaps, hasn’t fired regularly enough but to have him available for the weekend would be a boost.
“In truth, Tyree has probably been at his most effective when he has come on as a substitute, so that’s definitely an option for us if he’s fit.”
Rangers can also call upon in-form striker Luke Keen on Saturday, who is finally starting to come good after a barren spell in front of goal since joining from Rugby Town in February.
Keen has four in his last three games and Elliott believes he has proved himself as an asset.
He said: “Luke has played in various positions, he has played up front on his own and as a two, as well as in a midfield two or three, even out wide on the left.
“He’s been a very useful acquisition and has done a decent job wherever he has been. He hasn’t got the goals he would have liked up until recently, but he’s a decent goalscorer.
“There has been a few opportunities he hasn’t stuck away but those goals at the weekend won’t have done him any harm.”
UK Sport
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