A growing injury list has led to some changes to the Bees’ forward line up, as the league leaders prepare for the visit of Longton to Portway tomorrow (Saturday 3rd February 2.15pm KO).

Supporters and players alike will be hoping for better weather conditions at Portway this weekend – a snow shower half an hour before kick off a fortnight ago led to a late postponement of the game against Doncaster Phoenix.

The hard fought 17-20 win away at Lichfield last Saturday added a further 5 points to the Bees’ points tally, but it also took its toll in terms of injuries. Pete Glackin and Stewart Pearl have therefore rung the changes in the pack this weekend – most notable of which is a debut at openside flanker for Marcus Brown, who has joined the club on loan from Cinderford.

He will combine with Umraan Jadwat and Danny Wright in the backrow, with Keenan Cooper and Matt Spink in the engine room. The familiar triumvirate of Messer’s Foreman, Raimondi and Probert start in the front row, with Kurtis Payne on the bench. Chris Thompson is the other forward replacement.

Jack Jolly returns from suspension to take both the captain’s armband and the No.9 shirt – otherwise the backline is unchanged from the Lichfield game. Ben Phillips once again provides cover as a replacement.

The Bees eased to a 5-48 victory when the two sides met earlier back in October at Trentham Fields. With just 5 wins from 16 games to date and in 12th place in the league table, Longton – who have shown that they can be more than a handful against a number of sides – will be no doubt keen to match the pressure that their Staffordshire compatriots managed to exert on the Bees last weekend.

Bees squad v Longton (H, 2.15pm KO): - 1. Joe Foreman, 2. Zane Raimondi, 3. Matt Probert, 4. Keanan Cooper, 5. Matt Spink, 6 Danny Wright, 7. Marcus Brown, 8, Umraan Jadwat, 9. Jack Jolly ©, 10. Max Rodman, 11. Steve Johns, 12. Nathan Tilsley, 13. Jimmy Oliver, 14. Tawanda Chipadza, 15. Harry O’Brien, 16. Kurtis Payne, 17. Chris Thompson & 18. Ben Phillips.

Referee: - Peter Caunt