FOOTBALL: Manager Elkins puts faith in Henderson (From Oxford Mail)

FOOTBALL: Manager Elkins puts faith in Henderson

11:00am Friday 25th January 2013 in Headlines

Didcot Town manager Gary Elkins has reassured Lee Henderson that he has nothing to fear when he returns to action as the defender recovers from a double leg fracture.

Henderson suffered the injury in their Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West home clash with Swindon Supermarine in November and Elkins, who broke a leg while playing for Wimbledon, fully understands the anxiety around the first challenge.

“I remember my first game back, when we were away at Bristol Rovers,” said Elkins.

“Someone went in for a challenge with me and I got a kick on the point of the break, but there was nothing wrong with it.

“I am really optimistic that in four or five weeks, Lee will start training.”

Lance Williams, who hasn’t played since suffering chest pains against tomorrow’s visitors Winchester Town, could also be back soon after resuming light training.

Didcot will be without Marcos Belloli-Pereira and Luke Carnell (both suspended).

North Leigh manager Mark Gee says his players have to step it up to make the play-offs.

Although they are 11 points off fifth place, Gee says a Herculean effort is needed.

“We’ve got our sights on the play-offs, but it gets further away with every loss,” said Gee.

“We are under-performing and we have to up the ante and get on a good run.

“The play-offs are not beyond us, but it’s going to be a tough ask.

“We have to keep working hard and things will change around for us.”

North Leigh have appealed for volunteers to help clear snow off the pitch ahead of the visit of Swindon Supermarine to Eynsham Park.

Aaron Woodley is set to return from injury for Abingdon United’s trip to Sholing, though they will be without Shane Kingston who has left for personal reasons.

Banbury United travel to Chippenham Town in the Premier Division.

Tomorrow’s squads

Didcot Tn (v Winchester, home): from Pereira, S Elkins, Allaway, Stanley, Casson, James, Heapy, Osborne-Ricketts, Meade, M Williams, Haysham, Tappin, Bernoscoli, Hepburn, T Janes.

North Leigh (v Swindon Supermarine, home): from Warrell, Hole, Organ, Turk, Caton, Else, Bowles, McDonagh, Sanders, Hopkins, Brooks, Walcott, Brooks, Mills, Westlake, Alexis, Clark.

Abingdon Utd (v Sholing, away): from Foster, Baker, Taplin, Thomas, James, Halliday, Ticker, Melledew, Nowell, Davis, Self, Evans, Woodley, Riccio.

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