Salford City v Harrogate Town: No pressure on Ryan Fallowfield to return, despite lack of defensive options

The Sulphurites' right-back, who is still not fully recovered from Covid-19, was only fit enough for a place on the substitutes' bench when Exeter City visited Wetherby Road in midweek.

He was forced into action for the final quarter of an hour of Tuesday night's game following Warren Burrell's sending-off, but revealed afterwards that he was still struggling with shortness of breath at times and felt some way from full fitness.

With Burrell now suspended and Dan Jones, Mitchell Roberts and Will Smith all injured, Town must tackle the Ammies without a recognised left-back and seriously lacking in defensive numbers, leaving Weaver hoping that he will be able to include Fallowfield from the start.

But, if the former Hull City man is not ready, then Harrogate's manager insists he will not be rushed back.

"We knew that we would do well to even get 20 minutes out of Ryan in midweek, but in the end we needed to use him and he did well when he came on," Weaver told the Harrogate Advertiser.

"We'll have to assess him ahead of Salford. Obviously we would like to be able to start him because he brings so much to the team, but we won't risk him if he's not ready.

"As much as we want to go there and get three points, looking after the player takes priority.

"Warren’s dismissal is particularly unfortunate given its timing. We are short at left-back now, so that red card has given us a problem, not that that was Warren’s intention. The lads are just going to have to roll their sleeves up."

Kick-off at the Peninsula Stadium on Friday evening is at 7pm.