ALTRINCHAM'S thin squad will be short of two players when the Robins start their season against Harrogate Town on Saturday.

Defenders Peter Band and Neil Murphy are suspended for three games and one game respectively, leaving manager Bernard Taylor with a substantial hole to fill at the back.

Worse still, Mark Maddox is struggling with a knee injury, and will be subject to a fitness test before Saturday's curtain raiser.

Speaking to SAM sport earlier this week, Taylor said, "It's a shame that we will be starting the new season two players down. We've only got a thin squad as it is.

"We are still struggling to get a squad together - there's plenty of players out there who want to come but we can't match their price," he added.

One piece of positive news for Taylor, and the Moss Lane faithful, is the news that Ryan Hevicon may return to the club.

The winger went to Carlisle United earlier this week, but has recently contacted Taylor and expressed a wish to return to Moss Lane.

Taylor admitted that the Harrogate match will be a tough test for the Robins.

"It's a massive first game for us. They are first division champions and they have spent very well in the summer.

"It's up to us to see what we can get out of the game," he added.

l Two bad for ragged Robins - see page 79.