WINCHESTER warrior Zach Glasspool may get a pre-Christmas rest on Saturday as City bid to get back to winning ways at home to Evesham United in the Southern One South & West.

Glasspool has been playing through the pain barrier for a while now, troubled by a sciatic nerve problem, and is reluctant to miss games, writes Wendy Gee.

But manager Paul Masters might take the decision out of his hands as City prepare to go head-to-head with an Evesham side who stunned league leaders Cinderford Town 3-0 last week to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

Winchester lost 2-1 at Taunton, ending a sensational sequence of nine wins and a draw, but they are still well placed in fourth, six points adrift of Cinderford with a game in hand. Evesham are seven points behind City in eighth.

Although Glasspool would be a big miss this weekend, Masters is wary of burning out the industrious targetman who, along with top scorer Warren Bentley, has shouldered much of the frontline burden this term.

With that in mind, City have made enquiries about Wimborne Town striker Mark Gamble - a former Winchester player - whose name has been circulated for possible loan by the Magpies as he returns from long-term injury.

Masters confirmed: "I've spoken to Simon Browne, the Wimborne manager, but it's gone no further than that at the moment.

"It would have to be right on the financial side and, also, the lad's been out for a while and it's whether he's fit."

As the league's top scorers with 55 goals, Winchester are not exactly short of firepower, but Masters confessed: "I'm worried about Zach and Warren's workload. They could probably do with a breather sometimes.

"Zach wants to play every game, but he might get a rest this weekend - he needs it."

City are still without attacking bright spark Adam 'Taz' Roberts who, weather-permitting, will complete his four-match ban on Tuesday when City play their rearranged Hampshire FA Senior Cup tie with Eastleigh.

Winchester will be out for revenge on Saturday having lost 1-0 at Evesham early in the season, beaten by a cruel stoppage-time goal. "We battered them that day and missed a hatful of chances," said Masters.

"But anyone who thinks this league is easy is mistaken. There are seven or eight decent teams and we're in amongst it.

"We'll dig deep, get through the next month or so and see where we're at."