Leyland skipper Karl Cross hopes to return for crunch cup semi-final

​The Fox Lane captain broke his thumb in the very first over of the match against Kendal last month.

He has since missed the team’s past two games with wicket-keeper Adam Sexton deputising as skipper.

Cross had pinpointed the last four clash as his return to the team.

Leyland will also be wanting to go one better than last year when they lost in the last four at Fleetwood.

"The semi-final against Netherfield is going to be another tough game,” said Cross.

"We have played well in the pink-ball competition so fingers crossed we can carry that on and get to the final because we got beaten in the semi-final last season at Fleetwood in a match which we perhaps should have won.”

The other semi-final sees Garstang entertain Fleetwood at the Riverside.

Meanwhile, Cross says ​Leyland cannot afford to be complacent this season as they could find themselves in a relegation dogfight.

He insists nobody – barring runaway leaders Kendal – can rest on their laurels in this year’s NPL Division One.

With the division reduced to 10 clubs this year under the new local club cricket restructure, only eight teams will survive.

Leyland currently find themselves just 12 points off second-placed Netherfield but only 19 ahead of the drop zone.

A good run between now and the end of the campaign could see the men from Fox Lane realistically earn runners-up spot.

But likewise a poor spell over the next few weeks could see Leyland, who lost to derby rivals Chorley last weekend – slide into deep trouble.

“Obviously going from 12 to 10 teams this year, I think the quality of the cricket has been excellent,” said Cross, whose side host Fulwood & Broughton – the team directly below them in the table – tomorrow afternoon.

“Other than Kendal, who are clear at the top, it’s a really tight league this year and there’s been some really competitive cricket.

“That can only be a good thing so every game you’ve got to be on it – every game is a tough one.”