Diamonds defender Ashton facing further time on sidelines

The AFC Rushden & Diamonds defender hasn’t featured for the club since he limped off during the 1-1 draw at Rugby Town last month.

And any hopes of a return have been quashed after boss Andy Peaks confirmed Ashton had a reaction to the problem during training late last week.

“Jack trained last week and had a bit of a setback, which is disappointing,” the Diamonds boss said.

“I would say he is not going to be available for the next few weeks.

“It’s disappointing for him and us so we will have a look at possibly bringing in a fresh face or two.

“But, aside from him and Ross Oulton (knee), we should have a full squad to choose from for this weekend.”

Diamonds head to Gresley on Saturday as they bid to extend their unbeaten run in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division to 14 matches.

They drew 1-1 with Market Drayton Town at 
the Dog & Duck last weekend in a match that saw influential centre-half Liam Dolman return from a calf problem.

He was set to feature again in midweek but Diamonds’ Integro League Cup clash with county rivals Corby Town was postponed for a third time due to a frozen pitch.

And Peaks added: “It was good to have Liam back. He will be better for having played.

“He is the sort of player who likes to ease back into things after an injury and he would have played again on Tuesday night if the game with Corby hadn’t been postponed.

“But he came through without any reaction and he will be in the thick of things again on Saturday.”