SKIPPER Chris Waterhouse has been added to Gornal Athletic’s growing absentee list for tonight’s clash with Alvechurch.

The paramedic will miss the game through work commitments and is also doubtful for Saturday’s trip to Heather St John’s.

Boss Ian Rowe is also without Danny Ashton through suspension, while midfield duo Lee Wherton and Gurdeep Wilkhoo are unavailable and Dave Meese has an ankle injury.

Rowe feels fixture congestion which sees his side playing two games in midweek for the remainder of April will ultimately scupper their chances of a top two finish in the Midland Alliance.

Gornal are currently fourth, nine points behind second-placed Stourport Swifts but with a mammoth eight games in hand.

Rowe said: “I think if all things were equal we would finish second but there is no way we are going to get these games in without a few hiccups.

“It’s a shame really, we had great runs in the FA Cup and FA Vase and I wouldn’t change it for the world but it has left us with a big backlog, we have missed out on so many Saturday games.

“I still think if we finish in the top six it will be a tremendous achievement.”

Meanwhile, Tividale have prepared for their own busy run-in with the addition of two new players.

Full-back Brett Mander has signed from Black Country Rangers, while caretaker boss Stuart Scriven has also enlisted former Causeway United midfielder Stefan Ashman.

It promises to be a tough few days for Tivi, who lost 4-0 away at Stourport Swifts on Easter Monday.

They host Bridgnorth Town tomorrow (kick-off 7.45pm), head to league leaders Stratford Town on Saturday before finally hosting rivals Gornal on Tuesday.