By Brian Bennett | Photo: Ian Brodie

Ashington FC manager has given an update on the current fitness doubts surrounding three of his players – Darren Lough, Damen Mullen and Lee Mason.

Skinner said: “We’ve had a little bit of bad luck pre season. Darren (Lough) has missed quite a bit of training after he jarred his knee and it isn’t settling down much. We lost Damen (Mullen) who initially had illness and then cut his cheek – and then has played three minutes today (against Charnock Richard) and cut his eye on the other side so I think that will be him out for another week. He’s in a real race against time to be ready for the start of the season proper (July 30) because he has already missed the last week and a half’s work.”

He continued: “Lee (Mason) has been struggling because he kicked the bottom of someone’s foot and as a result, his own foot is badly bruised and that’s why he has played a very small part in the last three games. We’ve almost tried to ease him back in a bit today but his foot is still tender and sore. Again that’s part and parcel of pre season and all we can do it to play a waiting game.”