IF Sandiacre Town find themselves in contention for the Beechwood Derbyshire Premier League title later in the season, captain John Trueman says that will be a bonus.

The long-serving and undeniably canny Trueman is carefully playing down the chances of a club who have vied with Ockbrook & Borrowash as the most successful in Derbyshire over the last five years.

They are fifth in the table going into tomorrow's home game against Quarndon.

They have lost only once, to an exceptional run chase instigated by Ticknall's explosive all-rounder, Tanveer Ahmed, and stand a far-from-hopeless 38 points behind leaders Ockbrook and only 22 away from second place.

But Trueman feels availability issues are continuing to hold his side back and that the cup competitions are their best bet this season.

“The league title is not out of the question but we're still struggling with availability,” said Trueman.

“Man for man, our best side is as good as anybody's but we just can't put that side out on a regular basis. That means I don't think we're in a position where we can mount a serious challenge.

“Don't get me wrong, we'll always be competitive and I wouldn't expect us not to be trying as hard as we can.

“But we'll just keep plugging away and, if it gets interesting and we find ourselves in contention, then all well and good.”

It was a similar story for Trueman last season and he expects to be without all-rounders Ian Parkin, who has teaching commitments, and John Jordison, a policeman whose shifts restrict his availability, tomorrow.

“Ian is a terrific spinner and batsman, while John is as good an all-rounder as any in the league, so, of course, we miss them when they're not there,” said Trueman.

In addition to them, Sandiacre have seen little of opening batsman Dan Birch, who has forced his way into the Derbyshire side quite regularly this season.

“Dan's done well at first-class level and got himself a spot in the team, which is great for him,” said Trueman.

“But, if I'm honest, I thought at the start of the season that he might get to play a few more for us than he has.

“The lads who have come in have held their own but, without wanting to be unfair to them, they are perhaps not match-winners.”

Last season, Sandiacre were kept in contention largely by Trueman's own brilliant campaign with the bat.

However, an injury to the webbing between thumb and forefinger on one hand has held the captain back this time.

“I lost four weeks of the season to that and I've not really hit the ground running after the injury,” he said.

Trueman actually feels Sandiacre are currently stronger on Sundays – when Parkin, for one, can play – and that means they may have more chance in cup competitions, not least the Cockspur Cup, in which they have reached the regional final of the national knockout competition that they won at Lord's in 2003.