ATHERSTONE'S demise leaves Evesham United's players kicking their competitive heels this weekend but Dave Busst is ensuring things keep ticking over with a training session on Saturday.

United's elevation up the Western Division table will go on hold for seven days but the break will at least give injured duo Steven Hands and Linton Bailey extra time to try and shake off injuries sustained earlier this month.

Their hoped for return to fitness ahead of the visit to Gresley on February 7 will come as a huge boost to boss Busst who will have to manage without suspended skipper Lee Knight for the next four matches.

"Lee's done a great job and he didn't deserve to be sent off but he's still got a ban to serve," the Common Road chief declared.

"Linton and Pando (Hands) should be back training this week and I'm hoping they will be both be available to act as cover for Lee when we get going again."

Knight, however, will be available for Saturday's social gathering in Worcester - one of Busst's ideas to build team spirit - although, given the side's seven-match unbeaten sequence, there isn't a lot wrong with that aspect of the squad.

Workrate has been a key factor in United's revival and that was again to the fore at Halesowen last weekend.

"It was superb again," Busst enthused. "We closed them down in the right areas and didn't really given them a chance to get back into the game after the two early goals."

Saturday's win made for a joyous January with five wins and two draws that have doubled United's points tally and should also give Busst a great chance of claiming the Manager of the Month award.

However, he faces tough competition from his Cirencester counterpart who had led his side to five straight league wins before last weekend's postponement at Cinderford.

However, the Gloucestershire side lost 2-1 at Halesowen on Tuesday, a result that could elevate the United chief into pole position for the monthly award.

Evesham could come up against Stan Collymore at Gresley. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker has been linked this week with a return to football at The Moat.