KEY duo Joseph Dickson and Nathan Cloudsdale are back in the reckoning for Kendal Town's BetVictor League clash at Clitheroe on Saturday.

And boss Steve Edmondson said he was hopeful the return of the duo would bring out the best in new man Kieran Maguire.

Attacking midfield man Maguire, a recent capture from Workington, made his debut in the unlucky 2-1 FA Trophy defeat at Worksop last Saturday.

And though he was unfortunate to deflect a free kick into his own net to put the hosts two up, Edmondson said he was pleased with Maguire's contribution and was looking forward to the player making a big impression in forthcoming games.

"It's the first time this season we will have a full squad to choose from and we're looking forward to the trip to Clitheroe," said Edmondson.

"We'll have Joseph and Nathan back this week which will allow Kieran to play a different role and get forward more.

"Kieran was unlucky with the own goal but he has made a big difference for us already."

Edmondson was left ruing the Mintcakes' luck last Saturday after they put in an impressive show only for the home side to score twice against the run of play then survive a visiting fightback to squeeze through the tie.

"I thought we created the more clear cut chances in the game," said the Town chief, who pointed out that it could have been a different story had in form striker Emil Jaaskelainen not squandered two opportunities to put his side ahead.

"It's unusual for Emil to miss two clear cut chances as he did but those things happen.

"In the last 20 minutes, it was like the Alamo.

"We got the one goal back but we just couldn't find the leveller.

"We could have got a replay if we had made that pressure pay but it wasn't to be."

But Edmondson took heart from the general performance and said it was indicative of how far the club had come since the dark days of last season's run of sorry defeats.

"There is no way at the end of last season we would have done so well and created so many chances in a game like that," he said.

It just shows how far we have come.

"A lot of hard work has been put in at the club to turn things round and it's starting to pay off."

"The stability is paying off and we are improving by the week.

"The lads are getting to know each other better every week and the spirit is building all the time.

"They are working really well for each other and we're improving all the time."

And the Mintcakes boss is relishing Saturday's game at Clitheroe's homely Shawbridge stadium which promises to be a fascinating encounter.

"It was a very close game at our place earlier this season so there's no reason why we can't get something there," he said.

Town will not now have a blank date a week on Saturday, October 26 after BetVictor League officials confirmed the home fixture against City of Liverpool FC has been rearranged for that date.