ALVECHURCH manager Mick Preece's squad will be tested to the limit as he prepares for a run of at least 16 matches in 26 days.

Pitch problems and a Lye Meadow groundshare with Kings Heath have caused a nightmare fixture backlog which will force Preece to stretch his first team and reserve squads in a weary run-in.

"No-one would want a season like this," said a frustrated Preece, "you wouldn't ask fit young kids to play this many matches never mind players who have had a long season.

"Fortunately I have confidence in our reserves and will be using them a lot to complete these fixtures."

The Churchmen went down 2-0 to Meir KA last night on a dustbowl of a pitch.

Striker James Preece was set to return along with midfielders Brett Skinner and Jason Vann.

Forward Nick Lamorte was rated 80 per cent fit after a foot injury, but left back Robert Powell is a week away with a hamstring injury.

Goal-getter Michael Campbell was missing through work commitments and fellow front-runner Adam Ryder was set to miss out with fluid on the knee.

Ryder was saw a specialist last week to determine the extent of the damage.

Preece said he was ready to use last night to give his strongest team a run-out before pitching in his reserves for the visit of either Southam or Coventry Sphinx on Thursday (ko 7.45pm).

The Alvechurch boss is resting his troops ahead of Saturday's Challenge Cup semi final at home to title-hopefuls Nuneaton Griffs (ko 2.45pm).

Brett Skinner is cup-tied for a match which could earn Alvechurch a run-out against Sutton at Villa Park on Wednesday (ko 6.20pm).

Church entertain Cheslyn Hay on Monday (ko 7.30pm) and if they fail to reach the cup final they will host promotion-hopefuls Romulus on Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).

The Midland Combination season has been extended a third time from Thursday, May 24, to allow Alvechurch to play Feckenham at home on Saturday 26.

And the club still has to fit in two or three home fixtures, depending on their cup success.