GLASSBOYS boss Gary Hackett says he is looking forward to Boxing Day's clash with league leaders and West Midlands rivals Rushall Olympic.

The Pics will visit the War Memorial Ground on Monday occupying top spot in the Northern Premier League and Hackett thinks the game is a perfect opportunity for his side to halt their progress.

He said: "They have had a great first half to the season and their manager, John Allen, has done a fantastic job.

"But they are their to be shot at and we have to make sure we are in the chasing pack.

"It will hopefully be a good game and one that the fans can really look forward to.

"The fact that so many players will be turning out against their former club also adds some extra spice to the occasion. We will have to make sure we are up for it."

For Stourbridge, defender Jack Duggan and midfielder Jake Heath made the summer switch to Amblecote, along with the returning Luke Benbow, while Chris Lait arrived from the Pics in March 2015.

Rushall could include last season’s top scorer in the division, Karl Hawley, who left the Glassboys in June to take up a coaching role at Mansfield before linking up with the Walsall-based side a few weeks ago.

Another is with defender Joe Hull who was signed by Rushall from Stourbridge in October and midfielder Sam Whittall who switched to Rushall in July. Other former Glassboys in their ranks include Henry Eze and Jordan Fitzpatrick.

The clash could also see the league's two top scorers go head to head. Powerful Pics striker Alex Reid is just behind Glassboy Luke Benbow in the goalscoring charts.

Stour will go into the game on the back of last Saturday's draw with Spennymoor Town.

Drew Canavan's injury time free-kick salvaged a share of the spoils after the visitors had led through Mark Anderson early in the second half.

"Whenever we play at home we always look for three points but I think it was a good point," added Hackett. "Matt Gould has had to make a few good saves but he proved he is razor sharp despite not having too much to do recently."

The Glassboys will take on Hednesford Town away on Thursday, December 29 before a trip to Barwell on January 2.