Starbuck eyeing fitness boost
Hednesford boss Phil Starbuck will give late fitness tests to three of his players ahead of tomorrow's Unibond Premier opener with Frickley Athletic.
Summer signing Rob Hawthorne is struggling with a knee injury picked up in pre-season, while Ross Dyer and Tom Ward are both struggling with niggles.
But Starbuck is keeping his fingers crossed all three might be available to allow him to pick from a full strength squad.
"Rob hurt his knee in our friendly at Rhyl but he is not far off," said Starbuck.
"He did a block tackle and opened up his medial knee ligaments. But he's running fine, twisting fine and passing the ball sideways fine, but it's just when he drives the ball there is still some discomfort.
"Ross and Tom both have niggles but we'll see how they are before the game."
Starbuck is convinced his players are ready for the new campaign.
"I'm very pleased with the way pre-season has gone," he said.
"We don't want any complacency creeping in because it's only on Saturday that it starts for real.
"It would be nice to start with three points and a clean sheet."