NIGEL Spackman has been handed a timely boost with the return to first team action of Maurice Ross for Saturday's home game against Oldham Athletic.

Former Rangers full-back Maurice sustained a hamstring injury during The Lions game at Brisbane Road last Tuesday and was forced to sit out Saturday's defeat at Chesterfield.

However the Scottish international returned to training on Wednesday this week and is expected to be included in Saturday's squad.

Fellow defender Mark Phillips, who slotted in at right-back in Maurice's absence at Saltergate, is a definite non-starter having dislocated a joint at the top of his left shoulder in the dying minutes of that Chesterfield defeat.

Mark, who was making his first senior start of the season, is expected to be out for a minimum of two weeks.

Utility man Neal Ardley is hopeful of being involved having been hampered by a rib injury over the past few days.

However, strikers Darren Byfield (ankle) and Ben May (shoulder) plus midfielder Jody Morris (knee) remain unavailable for selection.

Lions physio Colin Clifford said: "Darren is responding well to treatment, likewise Jody is coming on quickly.

"Ben had an operation on his shoulder recently and is doing rehabilitation work.

"Obviously he is limited to what he can do at the moment because of his shoulder but is working hard on the areas he can to maintain his fitness."