STRIKER Ryan Caulfield could make his Whitby Town debut in tomorrow night's North Riding County Senior Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough at the Turnbull Ground, writes Ian Appleyard.

The former Northern Ireland youth international was previously on the books at York City but was released without making a first team appearance.

Manager Chris Hardy has signed Caulfield to provide cover for strikers Matty Tymon and Steven Snaith.

He was an unused substitute in last weekend's goalless draw at Stafford Rangers.

"I want to show everyone what I can do and, hopefully, bring goals with that," said Caulfield. "It’s going to be tough to get in but, if the boys are performing well, that’s going to make me up my game."

Hardy insists that he will field his 'strongest possible' side against Middlesbrough's Under-23 side despite players having less than 48 hours to recover for Saturday's 'six-pointer' at home to second placed Nantwich Town in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League.

"We are a fit group and we will have to manage any injuries or knocks," said Hardy. "When you are playing as many games as we are doing at the moment, knocks and injuries are just part and parcel."

Asked whether Caulfield would make his debut, Hardy said: "Possibly. He will be in the squad and we will have to assess how the players are."

Whitby were unable to break down mid-table Stafford last weekend and opposition goalkeeper Adam Whitehouse produced a Man of the Match display.

Last Tuesday night, Whitby won 4-1 at home to Halesowen Town. The visitors took a shock early lead courtesy of Liam Slade but Mikey Roberts equalised for Whitby just before the interval.

Whitby improved after the break to win comfortably thanks to goals from Matty Tymon, Dale Hopson, and David Carson.

Scarborough Athletic are at home to Glossop North End on Saturday in the Evo-Stik First Division North.

The club's scheduled trip to Ramsbottom United last night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

Tickets details have now been released for the club's first game at the new Scarborough Leisure Village stadium on Saturday July 15. Boro have spent the last decade ground-sharing with Bridlington at Queensgate.

Season ticket holders and Trust members have until 1pm on Saturday March 26 to secure their tickets. The identity of the opposition has yet to be announced.

Reserve goalkeeper Tom Morgan, meanwhile, has returned to his former club Farsley Celtic.