MITCH COOK is hoping the cavalry will soon be arriving at Pickering Town.

The Pikes boss said he has been unable to pick the same starting first 11 in any two matches this season and, after a break from Northern Counties East League premier division action at the weekend, he is hoping key figures will be fit for the trip to Athersley Recreation this Saturday.

Pickering were in action last night (Tuesday) against Maltby Main at Mill Lane and Cook was hoping a number of recent casualties would be fit to take part in that game or, at the very least, the visit to Barnsley on Saturday.

Cook said: "Sam Calvert is out for another three to four weeks but we are hoping to soon get Tony Hackworth back and Billy Logan. We haven't had the same side out on two occasions.

"It's definitely a factor. When you look at the Prtemier League, Chelsea have used 14 players and Manchester United have used 30. A manager wants to get a solid, stable squad and if you can't do that it can cause problems.

"When you start getting the same players out onto the pitch, you can see whether you maybe need to add one or two."

With goalkeeper Tom Woodhead still out long term with a dislocated elbow, Cook is also trying to add another custodian to his squad in the next few days.

He added: "The position is the last line of defence and we thought we had solved it at the back end of last year with Tom. He's having physio for his dislocated elbow and muscle damage.

"It is the most vital position on the pitch and it can instil confidence. I am just waiting to confirm it."

Athersley are four points, and four places, above the Pikes in the NCEL premier table. They were only narrowly defeated in their last home game by leaders Tadcaster Albion.

Cook is hoping, though, that his team can recreate the away displays in victory at Handsworth Parramore and Cleethorpes.

"We've got a run of games where we are hoping we can do something," he added.

"We have got to go there and re-produce those performances. If we can do that we give ourselves an opportunity."

Pickering were to be on the road to bottom-of-the-table Nostell Miners Welfare in the league next Tuesday but that game has been rearranged for Tuesday, December 2.