CLEE Hill return to action this Saturday after a four week winter break - although their manager thinks the time off could be a bad thing.

The Shropshire side are comfortably in mid-table as they sit fifth in Mercian Football League Division One.

They travel to eighth-placed Brown Clee this weekend for their first game since December 13.

"I think the break is too long," said Clee Hill boss Wayne Whitbread.

"There were matches in our division on December 20 but we didn't have a fixture so our break has been a week longer than many others.

"It'll be a tough game at Brown Clee. I think you go into every game looking to win but obviously they will be the same.

"There is never much between the two sides when we play."

To try and shake off some of the winter rustiness Whitbread had arranged for a friendly against Woofferton last Saturday, but the match had to be postponed after heavy rain prior to the match made the pitch unplayable.

"It was disappointing, obviously, especially as we had nearly everyone available. But that's the way it goes," said Whitbread.

"Hopefully everyone will still be available for Saturday's game and that the weather doesn't pose a problem."

He says he thinks a top three finish is still achievable.

"I've got to be pleased with the way things have gone so far," he said.

"We've played some very good football. We've probably lost one more game than we should have done, against Bishop's Castle Town. They were second bottom at the time although they're flying now. We were looking to win that one, although we did go there with a depleted squad. I came on for the last ten minutes.

"But I think we've got a good enough squad to finish third. There's not a lot between most teams in that league to be honest."

Clee Hill currently have 20 points with runaway leaders AFC Broseley on 42 points, although they have played five more games than Wrockwardine Wood.