STU Eccles has put on his keeper’s gloves again after answering an SOS from Vickerstown.

With regular number one Nick Beach and his deputy Jordan Belcher both out, injured Eccles has stepped in to help the West Lancs Premier Division side and will be between the sticks when Euxton Villa head to Park Vale tomorrow.

Another player to answer Round’s call is former Holker and FC United player Dave Swarbrick, who should also start against Euxton.

At the moment, because of horrendous weather conditions, the match is rated at 50/50, but should it go ahead, manager Dave Round is hopeful his side can begin 2016 in positive fashion.

Vickerstown languish close to the foot of the table after being hit by a spate of injuries, with other important players like centre-backs Dave Jepson and Scott Hammond also absent.

However, on the positive side, Danny Keenan (knee) has returned to training, while Sean Paterson (hernia) is looking to get back within the next three weeks. Jordan Dix (groin) could be in contention tomorrow as Round keeps his fingers crossed that the injury woes which have beset the club are coming to an end.

“There is still no Scott Hammond, he’s had a knee op. He’s just started running and will be a few weeks off yet,” said Round. “Dave Jepson is still out, he’s done his groin.

“Since about September it hit us. It has been one thing after another but hopefully we will get one or two back and we should get on the road back up the table.

“We have still got 17 league games left, we’re not even halfway through, there’s no panic. If you win your games in hand you shoot right up the table. Hopefully by the end of January we should be looking somewhere near.”

He added: “Stu Eccles has come back, he is going to help us out in goals because Nick Beach has got a bit of a bad shoulder injury. Jordan Belcher has also been injured, he’s had a bad knee and ankle.

“He played against Cassies and had a great game. He said he would help us until we get back on our feet. He’s a good keeper. Dave Swarbrick is helping us out as well.”

Looking ahead to the game, he said: “We have got the games in hand but we have certainly got to start getting results. We are looking to try and get a win and kick on from there. We have got got a tough month so we have got to start getting results now.”

Training has been positive with up to 30 players turning up for the sessions during the Christmas period.

“Everything is all right, no one is down-hearted,” added Round. “The reserves are in a good position, they are top of their league. They are doing really well considering I’ve been taking five or six lads off them every week and they are still producing the goods.”

However with the first team squad gradually returning to full-strength Round anticipates he may be okay for tomorrow if everyone comes through training and may possibly need only one or two players from the Furness Premier League leaders.

Vickerstown are still in the Richardson Cup and travel to Longridge in the of the competition. Ties have been put back until the early weeks of February, after heavy rains and bad weather twice washed out outstanding ties.