Dunn makes return to action

Yellows midfielder Jack Dunn made his return from injury in the win over Nantwich Town at the weekend.

Dunn, 25, had only played 15 minutes of football this season, coming on as a half-time substitute in the FA Cup win at FC United, only to be helped off injured on the hour mark.

He had previously suffered injury in the play-off final win over South Shields, and there had been fears he would be out until the New Year.

Boss Paul Carden told the Warrington Guardian ahead of the postponed Mickleover game recently that Dunn was a couple of weeks away, and he came on in the 87th minute for Tom Warren against the Dabbers.

New signing Tyrone Duffus made his Yellows debut too, coming on as a 90th minute replacement for Jack Mackreth.

Defender or midfielder Duffus agreed terms last week and has previously been with Everton and Cardiff City.

Meanwhile, striker Josh Amis is still wearing a protective boot on his right foot, but is fortunate as he won’t be needing surgery.

Carden told the Guardian recently: “Josh has had a little bit of good news in that he doesn’t need an operation as it stands, but we’re not getting carried away with it.”

Dylan Vassallo got involved with light training prior to the Nantwich game, but is still a couple of weeks off match fitness having had an operation on his knee.

Forward Iwan Murray has returned to National League North side Chester after making three appearances for the Yellows during a loan spell.

Murray scored in the Integro League Cup first round tie at Kidsgrove Athletic, which ended with a defeat on penalties.

Carden said the 19-year-old played his part and should be en route to having a “decent career”.

Striker Matthew Chadwick is on loan at Atherton Collieries until January, while Dominic Reid, who recently agreed a loan deal with City of Liverpool, is currently sidelined through injury.

Warrington are third in the Northern Premier League as it stands, with games in hand on some teams around them. Of the top betting sites, BetVictor appears to be the only bookie offering odds on Northern Premier League outrights at the moment. They have the Yellows at 12/1 to win the division but current leaders South Shields are the favourites to do so at 2/5. 

Lancaster City, who sit in second position in the league standings, are 10/1, as are Basford United. Nantwich Town, who were beaten 3-1 at Cantilever Park on Saturday, are 20/1 to win the league. FC United are also 20/1 for league glory while Morpeth Town, who won at Cantilever Park on the opening day of the season, are at 25/1.

The Yellows travel to South Shields this Saturday in a repeat of last season’s Northern Premier League play-off final. Amis struck the winner in a 2-1 victory, making it three wins from three over the Mariners in the 2018/19 campaign.

While Warrington don’t have a midweek game, South Shields are in action on Tuesday night when Stourbridge visit Mariners Park for an FA Trophy third qualifying round replay.

The winners of that tie will host Southport in the first round proper.