DURHAM CITY will welcome back two key players this afternoon with skipper Ross Wilkinson and leading goalscorer David Dowson set to return against Garforth Town.
Dickie Ord’s side take on the Miners at New Ferens Park looking to stretch their post-Christmas unbeaten run to five games, after back-to-back wins over Harrogate and Clitheroe and then draws against Warrington Town and Ossett Albion.
And the return of centre-back Wilkinson, who has missed the last four games with a head injury, and nine-goal striker Dowson, who sat out last weekend’s goalless draw against Warrington with a calf strain, will significantly strengthen Ord’s hand.
“Ross was due to return last weekend but the stitches he had in his head wound had not dissolved, so we couldn’t risk him,” said Ord. “But he trained this week and he is fine now, so will come back into the side.
“As for David, he had a calf problem but he has recovered from that. It will be great to have them both back because they are very important players for us.”
Frontman Amar Purewal (knee) is now Durham’s only injury absentee.
Tenth-placed City have kept three clean sheets and conceded just one goal in four games, pleasing pleased ex-Sunderland defender Ord.
“It has been fantastic to see us keep a few clean sheets,” he said. “Earlier in the season we were scoring and conceding a lot more goals and we were winning - or losing - games 4-3 or 5-4.
“These last four games have been a lot tighter, but it’s not something that we have consciously made an effort to change. It’s just come from the lads themselves.
“And it’s just a coincidence that it has happened while Ross [Wilkinson] has been out of the team, because he has been in excellent form for us.
“You don’t like to make too many changes to your defence when you’re keeping clean sheets, but Ross will come straight back in.”
Garforth are sixth in the Evo-Stik First Division North table, six points ahead of Durham.
Meanwhile, striker Billy Greulich-Smith and midfielder Josh Home-Jackson have joined Northern League side Shildon this week.
