LUKE Hicks will be available for AFC Ludlow’s home match against Malvern Rangers this Saturday - despite being red-carded for Ludlow Town Colts.

Manager Dave Cooper admitted he was disappointed with Hicks’ dismissal - Kieran Dovey was also sent-off playing for the Colts a few weeks ago.

Hicks had a goal ruled out and was given his marching orders in Colts’ 3-2 home defeat last weekend against Highley Miners Welfare at the Showtime Stadium.

Cooper said: “It’s frustrating having some of players helping out the Colts and then getting red-carded. Thankfully, Luke’s red card was for a second booking and he will only get a one-match ban. He’s OK for Malvern but will miss our match at Sikh Hunters.”

Ludlow remain second in West Midlands League Division Two, level on points with Wolverhampton Sporting and just four points behind table-topping Team Dudley.

Ludlow’s trip to Wolverhampton Sporting was washed out by the heavy rain last weekend – as were all other fixtures in Division Two.

Cooper said: “At least we will be playing on the AGP this weekend, unless there is three foot of snow. Perhaps, it was a blessing that last weekend’s match was called off because Ian Havard was away and I would have played in goal.”

Martin Jusko, Rob Vass and Dale Hodge are all back this weekend for Ludlow’s penultimate home league game of the campaign.

Cooper has arranged a home friendly for tonight (Thursday), against either Hereford United Under-18 or Orleton Colts.

“We play this Saturday and then we have a two-week break and we will probably try to get a game against the Colts, a week on Saturday,” added Cooper.

Meanwhile, Ludlow Town Colts manager Chris Waldron was disappointed with the 3-2 home defeat against Highley in the Mercian League Division Two.

He claimed that a shot from Hicks was not given despite it being ‘two foot over the goal-line’.

“I could see it from the dug-out that it was a goal and even Highley’s manager said at the time it was in,” said Waldron.

Josh Partridge scored both Colts’ goals – his first was a long-range wonder strike – while Aaron Hodge rattled a post.

Waldron said: “It was very disappointing. Our goalkeeper, Kieron Roche, was at fault for two of the goals we conceded and it just wasn't his day.

“It was a bad day at the office and very frustrating. Our downfall was down to a combination of errors and perhaps Highley wanting it a bit more than us.”