Collings seeking guidance for squad; UNIBOND LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION.

THE fountain of youth continues to keep Durham City heads above water. But, while Lee Collings has once again heaped lavish praise on his young side, the City manager also restated the urgent need to fortify his young troops with a few more older heads, writes STEVE BROWN. Durham host sixth-bottom Worksop Town at the Esh Group Stadium today, buoyed by the narrowness of Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Ossett Town and the return from a three-match suspension of goalkeeper Marc Riches.

His experience, and more, is vital, so Collings has spent the past week trying to secure the services of as many as three new signings. He has faith in the college colts who have filled the void created at the UniBond Premier club when virtually the entire playing staff left following the withdrawal of a major sponsor. They just require a helping hand.

"The young lads are learning and getting better every week but the sheer amount of games they're having to play is killing them," said Collings, who could be without midfielder Andrew Stephenson, who has a groin injury.

"Last week they played four games - one for us, two for their college and a few of them had to take part in the trial game we had organised. It's a lot for them to deal with - they're young lads but they can only do so much.

"I've signed Keith Hutchinson and Paul Atkinson to add some experience and know-how, but I'd like a bit more to help them know when to step it up and when to take their foot off the gas. I need to strengthen the squad, even if it's just to give some of them a bit of a rest."

No such problems for Blyth Spartans.

The Croft Park club were due to travel to the north west for an FA Cup third qualifying round tie at either Hyde United or Salford City. But after their original second qualifying round clash was postponed while Hyde fought an ultimately successful winding-up order in the High Court, the re-arranged fixture ended in a 2-2 draw on Tuesday, and will be replayed today.

That leaves Blyth kicking their heels this afternoon, and due to travel to the winners of today's game on Tuesday night. As a fellow UniBond Premier outfit, Hyde should be favourites over UniBond North side Salford, but while Blyth beat the former 3-0 earlier in the season, manager Mick Tait has played down whatever advantage that might hand his side.

"That only gives us a slight psychological advantage," he said. "An FA Cup tie will be entirely different. We were outplayed in the first half of the league game and if it turned out we were playing Salford that, too, wouldn't be easy."