McAlindon is set for his Stewarts & Lloyds debut

Jon Tite's deflected shot finds the net for Rushden & Higham's opening goal in last weekend's 4-1 victory over Bugbrooke. The Lankies host fellow high-fliers Stewarts & Lloyds tomorrow. Picture by Alison Bagley

McAlinson is ready to step in to replace Kris Bartle, who’s suspended for the trip to Rushden & Higham United in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Division One.

McAlindon left Latimer Park earlier this season and went on to have a spell at Cogenhoe United.

S&L boss John Cairns reports McAlindon has been coaching recently and added: “We’re delighted to have a goalkeeper of Jamie’s calibre on board.”

S&L have also brought in the likes of Jamie O’Neill and Michael Ogilivie as they prepare for what’s sure to be a busy spell.

The Foundrymen haven’t played since a 2-0 win at Oakham United on Boxing Day and as a result, they’ve slipped down the table to fourth.

They are 11 points behind second-placed ON Chenecks and have four games in hand.

Cairns said: “We would rather have the points on the board, but there’s nothing we can do about it.

“Our pitch has been terrible and it’s been a horrible few weeks for us.

“We want to be out there playing rather than sitting around hoping other teams drop points.

“We’ve just been training on astro turf and waiting for the weather to improve.

“We’ve got massive games coming up and we are going to be playing two of them every week.

“Everyone is fresh and itching to play at the moment, but when we start playing twice every week, we are going to pick up injuries and that’s why we’ve brought players in.”

This weekend, S&L head to Rushden & Higham United, who are one point behind them in fifth following last week’s 4-1 thumping of Bugbrooke.

Cairns added: “Rushden are always fit and well organised and they will fancy their chances on Saturday.

“We’re just looking forward to getting out there and playing again.”

There is another local derby at Latimer Park this weekend with bottom side Burton Park Wanderers hosting Irchester United.

Whitworth face a stiff test as leaders Peterborough Sports, who have won 20 out of 20 in the league, come to London Road.

Elsewhere, Raunds Town are on the road at Buckingham Town while Thrapston Town – 6-0 winners over Lutterworth Athletic last weekend – go to Bugbrooke.