Nicky Cross is hoping to continue his winning run as Studley take on fellow Midland Football Alliance outfit Rushall Olympic in the FA Cup on Saturday.

Cross will be in charge of the Bees for a third game with manager Mark Chambers abroad on holiday - although he has not been short of advice from the regular Studley boss.

"He is on the phone every two or three days," Cross confessed. "He has put me under intense pressure by telling me what a good record the team had before he went away."

Cross guided his team to back-to-back Bank Holiday wins but knows Saturday's cup clash with last season's MFA runners-up will be a tough test for a Bees team struggling with injuries.

"We are going to be down to our bare bones," Cross added. "Craig Pountney and Mark Neath are suspended and there are doubts over Melvin Gourlay, Vaughan Thomas, Matt Coppin and Andy Johnson.

"But we have good strength in depth here so we will still put out a strong side."

Alvechurch manager Andy Hibbert is hoping to have skipper Martin Keight back in his side for this weekend's clash with fellow Midland Football Alliance newcomers Westfields.

Keight missed out on his team's Bank Holiday fixtures due to a knee injury and was due to see a specialist this week.

Hibbert said: "It could be ligament damage or just bruising - we will know later in the week."

With defender Matt Davis also ruled out, Hibbert is also in talks with an experienced centre half ahead of Saturday's match with the Express & Star League champions.

"I am annoyed because I feel that we have already thrown four points away this season - conceding two goals at Chasetown and then letting a late goal in against Stratford," Hibbert added. "We are conceding poor goals."

Alvechurch are also in action on Tuesday when they make the short trip to Racing Club Warwick, a side relegated from the Dr Martens Western Division last season.