Coasters star Stephen Crainey faces a late fitness test ahead of tomorrow’s home National League North fixture against form team Gloucester City.

The defender, who filled in at centre-half at Gateshead last weekend in the absence of the suspended Josh Langley, was this week having treatment for a back spasm.

However, manager Dave Challinor could call upon midfielder Richie Baker, who has had a calf problem.

Challinor said: “It could be a case of we win one, we lose one. We will have to see with Crainey but we are very hopeful about Baker.

“We decided not to play him in the FA Trophy against Gateshead because we were being careful with him, and we wanted to give him a full week to recover from injury. Richie is important to us as we are a little bit low on numbers in midfield.

“We have a few other knocks and niggles but on the whole we are looking okay.”