BASHLEY assistant boss Eddie Harper admitted he and manager Steve Riley had a tough decision ahead of them, with star defender Pete Castle pushing for a recall following a one-match ban.

Former Reading star Castle missed the 1-0 win over Swindon Supermarine on New Year's Day and captain Paul Gazzard and Phil Archbold took the chance to impress at the heart of the back four, while Russ Hardwell performed well at right-back.

But it would certainly be a shock if Castle, who had been an ever-present up until the Swindon match, was not selected for Bash's tough Southern Premier Division trip to Banbury United tomorrow.

"Pete's a big player for us," Harper told the Daily Echo.

"He's a big presence on the park. He wins headers, gets tackles in and is deceptively quick, so it's a nice decision to make."

Whoever is selected in the Bash backline will have their work cut out at the Spencer Stadium, with Banbury the league's form team after four wins and two draws from their past six matches.

Puritans forward Nicky Gordon, who has struck eight goals during the unbeaten run, will be the man to watch, with his recent form rumoured to have attracted the attention of numerous clubs.

Bashley will again be without their star striker Richard Gillespie because of an ankle injury, so Ryan Moss and Dave Town are set to start up front.

Bashley: (from) Elm, Hardwell, Gazzard, Archbold, Ferrett, Wakefield, Smith, Davis, Keeler, Moss, Town, Castle, Harper, Morant, Tarr, Burden.