GOALKEEPER John Bateman is rated 50-50 to return for Evesham United at Taunton Town in Calor Southern League Division One South and West tomorrow (3pm).

Bateman injured his hip in the 1-0 Boxing Day victory at Stratford Town and was replaced by Louie Barnfather for last Saturday’s match against Wimborne.

But teenager Barnfather was sent off for a foul in the box and the Robins lost 6-2 with coach Gary Baines between the sticks.

Bateman is making progress but manager Paul Collicutt will only play him if he is fully fit as Barnfather is suspended for the following Saturday’s visit of Thatcham Town.

Centre-half Alton Axton serves the second of a three-game ban against Taunton but new defender Will Wellon, signed from Slimbridge, looks set to make his debut.

Neil Barnfield has been playing through the pain barrier with a back injury but fellow midfielder Mitch Botfield is ruled out until February with a foot problem.