ATHERTON Collieries manager Michael Clegg believes that in free-scoring midfielder Iain Howard he has signed the best player in the North West Counties League.

Colls travel to Barnton tonight for a quarter-final the First Division Cup, and Clegg hopes Howard’s presence can compensate for a number of key absentees.

Matt Grimshaw and James Brooks are unavailable, while the club's second-top scorer Mark Truffas is banned.

“I feel for Mark but his impending ban pre-empted the signing of Iain Howard – in my opinion the best player in the league by a margin,” said Clegg.

The sides met only two weeks ago, when Colls won 2-1 in a league fixture at Alder House.

Another victory tonight would book the Division One leaders a third semi-final of the season.

Daisy Hill will be going for only their second win in six when they host Widnes in the league tomorrow.

Still in sixth – the final play-off spot – manager Craig Thomas has told his players to aim high and rubbish pre-season predictions of relegation.

“We were ear-marked for the drop,” he said.

“Having been third for so long, not to finish in the top six would be a huge disappointment.

"We have a good run of fixtures now, but as I’ve said before anyone can beat anyone in this league.”

After their fine defensive performance in last weekend’s 1-0 win over Daisy Hill, Atherton LR boss Ross McNair wants more of the same as they bid to bridge the one-point gap to the play-off places when they host Chadderton tomorrow

“We defended well against Daisy Hill, we sat back and soaked up their pressure well in the second-half. I want the same kind of performance,” said McNair.