LAST Saturday's postponement at Merthyr Tydfil has brought mixed news for Stourport Swifts boss Dave Titterton who is still fighting injury and suspension worries.

Key midfielder Tim Nicholls must now sit out this Saturday's big Dr Martens Western Division clash with fellow strugglers Shepshed Dynamo instead due to a one-match suspension.

But Kerry Giddings is back from holiday to possibly take over from top scorer Richard Ball, banned for collecting five yellow cards.

Titterton has right-back John Cotterill (groin) available again but John Shirley (knee) is out for at least another two weeks and Peter Sutton, struck by a stomach ulcer, is unlikely to figure.

The Swifts boss is encouraging his players to move the ball about quicker at Walshes Meadow in order to break down defensive away teams.

Whether Saturday's visitors Shepshed, who are three points below Swifts in 20th position but with three games in hand, will rely on the counter-attack remains to be seen.

Titterton admitted: "Hopefully, Shepshed will look to try and win the game. But a lot of teams come to Stourport knowing we play attacking football and try to hit us on the break.

"We have to learn to be patient and try to break teams down with a few extra passes. We must move the ball about quicker.

"Saturday is a crucial game and we can make it three wins on the trot which we haven't done since I've been in charge.

"It's important for us to keep a run going and we need to win our home games. But Shepshed have had some good results of late."

Despite the injuries and suspensions, Titterton is delighted with the attitude of his players in fighting for their places.

He continued: "The players are buzzing in training and are looking to put a point across to me. Competition for places is good.

"I dropped John Shirley at Rocester but he got his head down, won his chance and had been one of our best players since then.

"It's a blow for us having him injured. We miss his versatility but he also gives you everything and has an abundance of skill."

Robbie Taylor, yet to make his debut since signing from Ludlow, is back in training but his groin strain is still troubling him.

And Titterton is still looking for new additions, particularly a goalkeeper and defender, with his assistant Kevin Sweeney busy scouting this week.

But he added: "We have players who can score goals and stop them. But no manager is ever totally satisfied with their performances because you always want to strive to get better."

Ex-Swifts man Parfait Medou-Otye has been released by Bromsgrove after two months with the league leaders but Titterton has ruled out a move for the defender.

Another Stourport old boy, Asa Charlton, has switched from Worcester to another Premier Division club, Halesowen Town.