Avenue's assistant manager Lee Coathup says the club is desperate to get some action after a fortnight of frustration but admits the unscheduled mid-season break has had its benefits.

Ahead of Saturday's visit of Radcliffe Borough in the UniBond Division One North, he said: "It is annoying when you face a couple of postponements, especially after such a good run like the one we have been on.

"When you are winning, the games can't come quick enough, winning becomes a habit and you look to the next match as soon the whistle goes.

"But we have so many players who have carried knocks through games lately that the rest has helped them.

"Paul Gedman has trained all week so he will have a chance of a recall. Ben Jones, Tom Baker, Mike Moseley and Paul Collins have all been struggling but are closer to full fitness because of the extra days without a competitive fixture."

The home game against Lancaster City and the trip to Newcastle Blue Star were both victims of the recent cold snap. Avenue arranged a friendly at Ashton United on Tuesday but that was also called off.

"That was a real downer," admitted Coathup, "and it was off at the last minute which made it a lot worse. We hoped to get Gedman, Griff Jones and the other lads involved.

"The lads were in the dressing room getting ready for kick off when it was called off so there wasn't even time to get to our regular all-weather training facility. It was a wasted night.

"There have only been a couple of teams playing, though. Everywhere has been affected by the weather. That makes it better, knowing everyone is in the same boat."

Avenue's vice-captain Ross Clegg said: "To be honest we are all dying to play, it seems like ages since the Ossett Town game in the cup.

"The little niggling injuries are clearing up and everyone I talk to is itching to get back playing.

"There is a great feeling around the club and we want the vein of form we have found to continue."

Mark Jones is set to go on loan to Radcliffe but the deal will not be done until after the weekend.

The club shop will be open even if the game suffers a postponement.