STOURBRIDGE boss Gary Hackett could face a selection headache for the Boxing Day derby with Halesowen after illness swept through the squad.

Defender Kieran Morris has tonsillitis and Drew Canavan and Will Richards are also facing a race against time to get over bugs.

Even Hackett has been struck down in recent days with illness ahead of the festive showdown at the War Memorial Ground.

A late fitness test will also be given to wing-back Kyle Haynes, who has a rib injury, but centre back Exodus Geohaghon should return.

Both were absent from last Saturday's disappointing 1-0 away defeat at the hands of Whitby Town.

Assistant manager Jon Ford said: "A few players will face late fitness tests but a lot will hopefully make it. It will be a race to see if they can shake off their illnesses in time. I'd like to think it would be hard to keep them from playing in such a big game.

"Either way we will be fine. We have a lot of belief in our squad and there is no doubt that the players that come in will give their all.

Ford also said the Glassboys are aiming to take maximum points from their festive fixtures.

"We have put the Whitby result behind us and are aiming to win all our games over Christmas, starting with Halesowen on Boxing Day" he added. "They are a strong side and will make it difficult for us but our home form has been very good and the players are vibrant and looking forward to the busy period."

Against Whitby, Stour had to leave with nothing to show for a gritty display after a 93rd minute strike by Steven Snaith settled the game.

In the truth, the goal was out of keeping with a game in which both sides worked hard but could not produce much quality in the final third.

Stourbridge had the first half-chance, with Kayelden Brown opting to cross from the left when he perhaps would have been better trying his luck, and at the other end Ramsey-Dickson was robbed on the dead-ball line and from the ensuing cross James Brown hit the crossbar with a shot that he failed to keep down enough.

Whitby controlled the game for long spells in terms of territory and possession but Dean Coleman in the Stourbridge goal was untroubled by a couple of shots that sailed wide, although he was called into action on 23 minutes to save a low shot from Snaith, with Brown only able to put the follow-up wide off the outside of the post.

George Bowerman managed to get a shot on target on 29 minutes, but Kevin Burgess was on hand to clear with keeper Shane Bland beaten, and Stourbridge had their best chance of the half on 34 minutes when Drew Canavan's pass put Will Richards clear. However, Richards opted to cut back onto his right foot instead of shooting first time, and Bland was then equal to his effort with a good save.

The second half was generally more even than the first but still neither side could make the most of what openings they created. Big central defender Richard Pell shot well over for Whitby from an early corner and Stourbridge forced a number of corners from which shots from Richard, Broadhurst and Ramsey-Dickson were all blocked.

It seemed that stalemate would be the order of the day until three minutes into stoppage time. Richards, who had just been named as the Glassboys Man of the Match by the sponsors, missed a tackle on Snaith in his own half and the Whitby man curled a sumptuous shot from 25 yards out.

Ford said: "It was a big blow to lose right at the end but we are seeing it as one point lost rather than three. We showed a lot fighting spirit and won't dwell on it."