RICKY Mercer, bought to bolster Kendal Town's midfield, may have to fight for his place in view of stunning start by the team, says manager Tony Hesketh.

Mercer is now available after missing the first two matches because of suspension carried over from last season and Hesketh said: "He was brought in to be a regular team member, but he may have to bide his time on the bench because of the way Dave Woodruffe is playing."

Hesketh, who missed both opening games after collapsing with an inner-ear infection which causes loss of balance, said he hoped to attend last night's training session, but intends to leave the next two matches in the hands of assistant Barry Stimpson and former manager Peter Smith as he still has to see a specialist.

He was pleased that his squad had come though the first two games without any injury worries although midfielders Stuart Cliff, still awaiting an operation, and Lee Clitheroe, who took a knock in the pre-season friendly with Bamber Bridge, remain unavailable "I am told that we had a purple patch on Saturday when we knocked in three goals, but we had to hang on in the end and Stockbridge probably deserved a point.

"At Warrington it was a completely different story as we totally dominated the game, could have had ten goals and in the end won in some style."