MANAGER Phil Mullen has been banished to the stand for Saturday's Western Division clash with Chippenham at Common Road.

The Robins' chief received a two-match touchline ban from the Football Association for comments made to a match official at Warwick in September.

Mullen, who was also banned from the dugout at Ledbury on Tuesday, said: "I was very polite to him and it was he who got aggressive after he invited me into his dressing room after the game.

"He felt that my remarks were offensive although I didn't even raise my voice. I didn't bother to contest the decision because I think I would have got into even more trouble."

Skipper Steve Taylor starts a three-match suspension this weekend - a period when Evesham's hopes of success in league and cup will be severely tested.

United's injury problems have eased slightly with only Jay Powell still unfit and Mullen could give both Shaun Cunnington and Mark Clifton their home debuts on Saturday.

Dean Roberts, Russell Parmenter and Phil Preedy all played in midweek leaving Mullen with plenty of options for a match in which a home win will move Evesham to within three points of the second placed Wiltshire side with a match in hand.

The league table has something of a different look about it following Bloxwich's demise with United slipping down to eighth but with games in hand on all the sides above them.

"It's catch up time," said Mullen. "We've been hit more than anyone by Bloxwich dropping out but the title race is still wide open and Saturday's match is important"

There's another tough task on Tuesday when Solihull Borough arrive at Common Road for a second round Dr Martens League Cup tie.

The visit of Halesowen Town in the Worcestershire Senior Cup on Tuesday, December 18 means that Mullen's men will have faced the top three in the division in successive outings.

Saturday's match is sponsored by T & P Davies Scaffolding Ltd, Evesham and the ball by E U S High Street, Evesham. Vale Garden and Building Services are sponsoring the ball for Tuesday's League Cup tie - a match that must be decided on the night.