Source: MEN

 FC United have re-signed former fans’ favourite Danny Warrender after an absence of more than two years.

The 26-year-old ex-City trainee played nearly 50 times for the Rebels before leaving in December 2009 due to injury and personal problems.

But now he’s back with FC after convincing manager Karl Marginson he has the desire to help them make a big push for promotion in the final third of the campaign.

Marginson said: “Danny has gone through a tough time, but anyone who saw him play last time he was with us will know he has the potential to be a great addition to our squad, particularly as he can operate in either defence or midfield.

“I’m confident that, with him on board to boost us, we’ll be in contention for a play-off place at the end of the season.”

Seventh-placed United resume their Evo-Stik Premier promotion quest after a three week-long weather-enforced break from league action when they host Frickley tomorrow, just four days after the Yorkshire strugglers sent them spinning out of the Doodson Sport Cup.

Marginson was bitterly disappointed by that result but now wants his players to focus on what he describes as the “14 cup finals” which lie ahead.

Meanwhile, Ashton United continue their safety quest with a visit to Stafford, while FC United’s fellow promotion hopefuls Northwich, buoyed by having booked a home FA Trophy quarter-final tie with Newport County, return to league duty at North Ferriby.

Relegation-threatened Stockport’s four-game unbeaten run in Blue Square Bet Premier will be put to the test when they travel to high-flying York City.

Hatters boss Jim Gannon is taking heart from the six points his struggling side have collected from those matches but says County must end their reliance on scoring from set-pieces if they’re to stay out of the drop-zone.

“We have to start showing enough quality to score in open play,” he said.

“York are up there because they are a really good side so we’re going to have to work really hard to get points .”

Runaway Blue Square Bet North leaders Hyde have a blank date, giving fourth-placed neighbours Stalybridge Celtic, who have failed to win any of their last seven league games, the chance to revive their fading title challenge at the expense of visiting Workington.

Altrincham must beat seemingly relegation-bound Blyth at Moss Lane if they’re to continue to be regarded as strong play-off candidates.

And Dave Pace’s Droylsden can almost certainly forget thoughts of promotion if they fail to send Bishop’s Stortford back to Hertfordshire with anything other than a defeat.

Evo-Stik North title contenders Curzon Ashton face a testing trip to Farsley.

Salford host Wakefield and Woodley entertain Ossett Albion, but Trafford, Radcliffe and Mossley are all away.

North West Counties leaders Ramsbottom have a League Cup third-round date at Winsford.