Knibbs brings in three new faces to boost Saints

Having lost the previous Tuesday’s Birmingham County FA Midweek Floodlit Cup tie against Castle Vale JKS to the weather, first-team manager Lee Knibbs faced the prospect of seeing his side in action just twice in January, with tomorrow’s league encounter at Pelsall Villa the only remaining scheduled fixture.

But, weather permitting, the Castle Vale JKS match will now be played at Banbury Road next Tuesday (7:45pm).

The break has helped with injuries and Oli Manoochehri, who suffered a cut lip against Atherstone Town, should be fit for tomorrow.

Not so lucky is Marc Passey, who also went off in that match with a knee injury and is expected to be out for several weeks.

Knibbs has been busy strengthening his squad with 22-year-old defender Ricky Hill signing on a dual registration from Coventry Sphinx and midfielder Leigh Phillips rejoining Saints from Racing Club Warwick.

Also joining the club last week was 20-year-old left-sided player Danny Gordon, signed from Long Eaton.

The reserves were due to visit South Redditch Athletic in one of just two matches scheduled in the Stratford Football Alliance Division One, but that was called off as a result of a waterlogged pitch.

With the other fixture between Moreton Rangers and Alveston also postponed, there was no change in the league table, with Saints maintaining their five-point lead at the top.