Crainey's fitness battle

Experienced AFC Fylde defender Stephen Crainey faces a fitness test before getting the all-clear to line up for tomorrow's home National League North clash with form team Gloucester City.

By The Newsroom

Published 12th Feb 2016, 06:37 BST

Stephen Crainey could give Fylde a boost

The Scot was this week having treatment for a back spasm.

But on the plus side there is likely to be a return to the fray for Richie Baker, who has had a cartilage and calf problem.

Coasters manager Dave Challinor said: “It could be a case of we win one, we lose one.

“We will have to see with Crainey but we are very hopeful about Baker.

“We decided not to play him in the FA Trophy against Gateshead because we were being careful with him, and we wanted to give him a full week to recover from injury. Richie is important to us as we are a little bit low on numbers in midfield.”

Fylde welcome a Gloucester side who have been in outstanding form of late and have yet to taste defeat in 2016, earning a manager-of-the-month prize for boss Tim Harris.

After Gloucester, the Coasters face the long trip to Lowestoft on Tuesday.