BROMSGROVE Sporting are set to throw new addition Andy Nicol into the fray, despite incurring the wrath of Alvechurch over the striker’s capture.

Nicol signed from local rivals Fairfield Villa this week and will unleash him at Earlswood in Saturday’s Midland Combination Premier clash (3pm ko).

The hitman had scored nine goals in 10 games since leaving Lye Meadow for the Recreation Ground.

But furious Alvechurch have complained to Worcestershire FA, claiming the striker is registered to them and that any approach should have been submitted to Lye Meadow.

Nicol started the season with the Midland Alliance side but then moved down a level to Fairfield Villa, where he was in prolific form. Alvechurch also did not enforce the seven-day bid rules.

Sporting put in an approach to Fairfield on Monday, who then waived it to speed up the move.

This is the second time Sporting have been reported to the County FA by Alvechurch, who also complained over their signing of Elliott Nash in September.

Sporting refute Alvechurch’s accusation and the management team of Keith Draper and Graham Scott are keen to field Nicol on Saturday.

Draper refused to be drawn on the matter, saying: “Fairfield alerted us to Andy’s availability and said he would be interested in signing for us, even though there were a number of clubs wanting him.

“We’ve have followed the rules of the Midland Combination and have done nothing wrong.”

The relationship between the Rouslers and their county rivals has been fraught since Scott teamed up with manager Draper in the summer.

Alvechurch club secretary Steve Denny said: “At the start of the season, we helped out Sporting by waiving the seven days when they signed Tom Elder, Luke Dugmore and Alistair Crawford.

“But we weren’t happy they signed Elliott, who missed two games and didn’t tell our manager he was leaving.

“We complained to the FA over that and now this has happened.”

Sporting were denied a chance to move to the top of the table on Saturday as their game at Bloxwich was postponed because they could not field a side on Friday.

But Draper was expecting a tough test at sixth-placed side Earlswood this weekend.

Lee Dunkley is set to feature after a one-off appearance for Studley last week in the 1-0 loss to Heather St John’s, when he answered Bees boss Lee Knight’s call for players.

On Tuesday, Sporting entertain Bromyard in the Worcester Infirmary Cup (7.45pm ko).