MALVERN Town manager Chris Palmer said he is not afraid to further blood his youngsters as his side fight to stay up in Aspire Midland Alliance this season.

Palmer has been buoyed by the form of the likes of young striker Mason Mansfield and defenders Ashley Pardoe and Ryan Clarke this season as he aims to have a better second half of the campaign.

Town are desperate to erase the memory of their last game when they crashed to their heaviest defeat of the season, a 7-1 reverse at Coleshill Town.

Since then Malvern have seen their home clash against Friar Lane and Epworth and their derby at Westfields on Monday both fall foul of the weather.

There is also serious doubt over Town’s next league clash when they welcome Highgate United tomorrow to the Langland Stadium (ko 3pm) as the Christmas cold snap continues to bite.

Striker Alex Taffe is back in contention after missing the last 12 weeks with a broken hand.

Craig Carter is the only absentee as he serves a one-week suspension.

Palmer said: “I will keep bringing the youth team players through. There are three or four more that could make the first-team.

“Our first priority is to stay up this season.

“If we finish one point above the relegation zone then that will be a success from where we are at the moment.

“Highgate is a must-win game for us, if it goes ahead because of the weather.

“I’m always looking in the transfer market.

“If we can ever take a player and bring them to Malvern then I’m interested.”

TEENAGE footballers from Malvern Town face two important matches for Worcestershire this month.

The u18s team are preparing for fixtures in both the FA County Youth Cup and Midland Counties Youth Football Championships.

Town’s Jamie Archer, Ryan Clarke, Dan Holloway, Mason Mansfield and Ashley Pardoe have all been called up.

First is the FA Cup third round clash against Sheffield and Hallamshire on Saturday, January 9 at The Keepmoat Stadium Complex in Doncaster (ko 2pm), which was postponed on December 19. The side is bidding to reach the quarter-finals of the event.

Next up is a Midland Counties clash against Herefordshire on Sunday, January 17 at Pershore Town FC (ko 2pm).