LEIGH RMI boss Steve Waywell is preparing for Saturday's clash with Conference pacesetters Boston with his spirits lifted.

The immediate threat of his players facing a wages cut has been eased by the announcement of a £50,000 bank loan, while three key players are on the brink of a first team return.

The possible loss of top players was lessened with the loan deal, but the money still has to be repaid and the Railwaymen are continuing to push for money-spinning friendlies against Bolton Wanderers and Manchester City.

The return of Steve Thompson, Dave Ridings and Jamie Udall could be the key to RMI forcing their way up the table.

Waywell said: "Thompson played 55 minutes last week against Chorley and came through very well. Ridings has just got the results of his scan and does not need an operation as it is bruising of the ligaments, which is good news. He will be in contention for Boston on Saturday but it might be a bit soon. Udall will be back in a month after recovering from a cruciate ligament injury which has kept him out for 12 months.

"They are three key players, especially Ridings. We have missed him, he has been out for most of the season and is a big loss."

RMI's current league position, just below halfway, is much better than Waywell anticipated at the start of the season.

"The injury list was horrendous but has got better and better. To be honest I didn't think we would be in the position we are in mid-table. I had six or seven long term injuries and to be without them for two or three months was a blow. But give the lads who have come in their due. It is credit to them. They have done tremendous.

"I expected us to be in the bottom region at Christmas and then as the players came back have a real go as long as the gap wasn't that big, but we have done a lot better than we expected. We haven't been consistent and that is due to having too many players out at the same time." You need a settled side and need your best players to be in it and we have not had that up to now."