CONGLETON are facing a defence injury crisis this Saturday with five players injured including new signing Chris Sutton.

Chris, who came from Accrington, has only played in one game and was taken to hospital with damaged knee ligaments on Tuesday night after a friendly against Ashton Town.

Graham Harrison, Paul Abbey and Steve Rothwell are also out of action and Robert Wade has moved to Newcastle Town.

Brian Holmes is due to return from Burscough to play on Saturday. He moved to the club in October as he was not having a regular game with the Bears but is coming back to Congleton to help during the injury problems.

In Saturday's friendly game Congleton beat North West Counties team Ashton Town 7-1 with two goals from Graham Dodd and Roy Birch.

Dave Waller and Peter Weston each scored and goal keeper Mark Winstanley also scored from the penalty spot.

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