LEE Duckworth has said he will recruit players from close to home while he is in charge at Winsford United.

Recent arrivals Adam Bayley and Steve Jenyons are proof of a change in transfer policy, according to the Blues’ boss.

He added: “I’ve played locally for longer than I can remember, and you get to know people.

“I include Sunday League in that; there have been plenty of lads who were prepared to commit to Saturday football, but were never given the opportunity.

“I’ve played for managers in the past here who have been based in Liverpool or Manchester, so the talent pool they know is further afield.

“But by my latest count, we have eight local players.

“I’ve no problem with that figure rising either, providing I’m confident they can make us better.”

His players did make a short trip to West Didsbury on Saturday expecting to end a fortnight’s wait to play, only for the referee to postpone the Premier Division encounter an hour before kick off.

That means five of Winsford’s past six scheduled league games have been called off.

They have played only once since beating Alsager on December 5, while a wait to run out again in front of their own supporters at Barton Stadium started back in November.

Duckworth said: “We’re fortunate really that we’re not in dire straits with our fixture list.

“We got a lot of games in early on, so haven’t fallen too far behind.

“I think I’m like most managers in this division now; the weather is doing our heads in, and we just want to play!

“It’s a challenge to keep coming up with ways to keep the lads together – I even had them doing a session with a karate instructor who uses the social club!”

Title-hopefuls Colne, 6-2 victors when the teams met in August, are due in town this weekend, kick off 3pm.

Captain Kyle Riley (face) is recovering from injury, but Danny Egan and Chris Lunn are available again.