Nicky Law facing injury headache as Alfreton look to return to winning ways

The trip to the North East, where the Reds have never done anything in the league in the past, promises to be another extremely difficult game.

The Reds have not even scored on Tyneside in three previous Conference Premier division visits going down 2-0, 2-0 and 3-0 last season. when the Reds were down to the very bare bones of just 13 fit players.

Reds manager Nicky Law will be looking for his side to end a run of three successive defeats in which they have also failed to find the net.

However, injuries are again playing a part in Law’s preparations.

Still without Nathan Hicks who is now back in rehabilitation after a dislocated shoulder a few weeks ago, Law will again be without central defender Chris Smith who has a broken finger. Midfield man Andi Thanoj fractured an ankle against Aldershot at the weekend and will be out for anywhere between six and 12 weeks and David Mellor has a back injury which will keep him out of the game.

Gateshead are currently fifth in the table with 26 points from their opening 14 league games.

On home soil, the Heed’s form has, as usual, been strong with them recording wins over Torquay United (3-1), Chester (2-1), AFC Telford United (4-1), Dartford (1-0) and Braintree Town 3-1 last Saturday, coming from a goal down to do so.

They have dropped points however, with Aldershot Town taking a point home from a 1-1 draw and Grimsby Town recording an astonishing 6-1 win on Tyneside.

However, Gary Mills’s side have only lost twice all season in the league with seven wins and five draws showing they will once again be a force to be reckoned with.

Kick-off at the International Arena is 7.45pm.

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