Jordan Buckley nearing a return to Warrington Town squad

Despite his side being in the midst of a striker shortage, however, manager Mark Beesley insists his star frontman will not be rushed back from a long-term ankle injury.

Having hit 19 goals for Yellows last season, Buckley scored twice in five appearances this time round before being struck down during the win over Nantwich Town on August 29.

In recent weeks, however, the 26-year-old has taken an increasing part in pre-match warm-ups and training sessions and could be in contention to return to the squad when Stalybridge Celtic visit Cantilever Park on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

Jordan Buckley has taken part in pre-match warm-ups in recent weeks (Image: Sean Walsh)

With Connor Woods having been recalled from his prolific loan spell by parent club Southport earlier this week and with Josh Amis still suspended, Buckley’s potential return is a timely one.

> More on the news of Connor Woods' recall here

However, Beesley insists they must be careful with him as he builds up his match fitness.

“Jordan will be in training for us, which is a big boost,” he said.

“We’ve got to be careful of him – he didn’t really have a pre-season and he’s been out for 14 weeks. We have to ease him back into it.

“If you asked me to go and sign a striker, I’d go and sign Jordan.

“Knowing that he’s back in and around the squad will not only boost us as a squad, but the supporters as well.

“The key for him now is staying injury-free because he’s had a lot of bad luck.

“If he stays fit between now and the end of the season, history tells you he’ll score plenty of goals for us.”

Saturday’s impressive 3-2 victory over South Shields brought a three-match losing run to an end and propelled Town back into the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off spots.

> Town 3 South Shields 2 - full verdict, pictures and reaction

Matty McDonald celebrates scoring during Saturday's win over South Shields (Image: Sean Walsh)

Their fourth home game in a row sees the struggling Celts visit but Beesley says they cannot afford to look past the side sitting third from bottom of the table.

“We’ve got to look at what’s in front of us and deal with that first,” he said.

“Every team in this league is good and if you don’t respect who you’re playing against, everybody knows what can happen.

“It happened to us a few weeks ago against Marske – they came here in bad form but turned up and won 1-0.

“We’ve got to be at the top of our game.”

Yellows will gain one player back from suspension but lose another for Saturday – goalkeeper Tony Thompson returns to the fold but Josh Seary will serve a one-match ban having picked up five yellow cards.

Town are hopeful of having Mitch Duggan back from illness while midfielder Sean Williams will hope to be fully fit after his own bout of sickness reduced him to a goalscoring cameo off the bench against South Shields.