Bradford Park Avenue will not go to the summit of the UniBond Division One North if they beat leaders Curzon Ashton on Saturday but victory would wrestle the initiative back from their title rivals.

It should have been a meeting of the top two with the winner heading the table but the weather put paid to that scenario.

Avenue go into the game in third spot with Curzon five points clear but a home victory would mean the Bradford club trailed by just two points with two games in hand.

"I think that has eased the pressure on them," said Bradford boss Benny Phillips.

"If we win now they know they will still be in front while we are playing catch-up.

"I just hope the game is on, not least because we have had a couple of postponements lately and that is starting to affect the players.

"But on the other hand, we don't want a lottery, played out on a saturated pitch in shocking conditions.

"This game should be a great advert for our league but it won't be if the sides can't get the ball on the surface and play. The better the pitch is the better my lads play. I have watched Curzon and to be fair to them they do as well."

Phillips is praying the game is on despite having a number of influential figures missing. Last Saturday's non-starter at Newcastle Blue Star means Matt Daly and Darren Hockenhull have not yet completed their suspensions.

Centre back Lincoln Adams has not recovered from a knee injury and midfielder Steve Connors pulled a hamstring in Monday night's friendly against Stockport County.

"That is three of the back four and the skipper out of the engine room. It couldn't be much worse," admitted Phillips.

"That said, we have a squad for a reason. It is not just to provide competition for places and to keep everyone on their toes. The main reason is that you have more than one quality player for each position.

"We may have a few players out but I'm still confident that we will get the result.

"Ross Clegg came back and played really well against Stockport. Paul Stoneman made his home debut in the same game and he looked confident and composed.

"His presence could be vital with Matt and Lincoln both out."