MIDDLEWICH Town hope their title rivals take points off each other this weekend.

The Witches will have one eye on the outcome of Woodley’s trip to Club AZ on Saturday, the same day they host neighbours Knutsford at Seddon Street.

“We have to worry about ourselves,” said assistant manger Mike Alcock.

“The lads will be told in no uncertain terms that their focus should be on beating Knutsford, let other people follow what’s happening elsewhere.”

Town’s top-of-the-table clash with Woodley was postponed, allowing Club to close the gap after firing four goals without reply past struggling Knutsford.

It means Middlewich have only played two matches so far in 2009.

“We can’t get any momentum going at all right now,” said Alcock.

“It’s play a game then miss a day and we were disappointed not to get the chance to take on Woodley because it was a battle we were all looking forward to.”

He hopes to welcome Louis Bentley back to face the Reds after the youngster hurt his ankle playing for Sunday League outfit Rudheath last weekend.

But one man definitely missing is defensive lynchpin Shaun Came.

“That’s a major blow,” admitted Alcock.

“We’ve looked secure back there with Shaun playing alongside Steve Capper and, with Chris Jump gone, I’ll need to have a think about what we do.

“I’ve got a couple of ideas so I’m sure we’ll be ok.”

Lee Grannell will play in goal.

Knutsford have won only five league matches this term and have a poor record at Seddon Street, but Alcock insists he is leaving nothing to chance.

“We can open up a gap again if we win the game,” he said.

“Anything other than a Woodley victory in the other match would be a bonus but that would be for nothing if we don’t do our job.”

“I’ll get the players together at training on Wednesday and the main topic will be concentrating on beating Knutsford and how we need to go about doing that.

“The time to talk about others is 5 o’ clock on Saturady.”

Kick off on Saturday is 2.15pm.