TITLE-chasing Worcester Raiders will crack open the advent calendar before playing in the league again after being left with a blank November.

Cup commitments and empty Saturdays will lead to a five-week gap in West Midlands (Regional) League Division One fixtures for the second-placed Claines Lane outfit.

Boss Karl Gormley welcomed having last weekend off but with a League Cup tie at Allscott taking priority on Saturday (2pm), another hole seven days later then county cup commitments the week after Raiders next play in the league on December 1.

“It is a bit frustrating but the situation is what it is,” said Gormley.

“We work with the league as and when we can. We missed out last week because we had a bye and every other team in our league was playing.

“There is no one for us to play next week because we have already had fixtures against the teams without games. There is not a lot you can do.

“You have to grin and bear it but it is a shame, we have been on a good run in the league and wanted to keep that going.

“A few of the lads were carrying knocks so last weekend came at a good time to be honest. We trained the midweek before but on Saturday we told the lads to have a weekend with their families or whatever.

“It turned out to be a good weekend for us. Team Dudley got beaten and so did Darlaston.”

Centre-half Glen Sitch is the only injury doubt heading into the trip to Shropshire with Gormley reluctant to take any risks.

“We will probably rest him either way,” he added.

“We have a big squad. He had a fitness test before the Droitwich match and desperately wanted to play but Chris Cornes (assistant manager) put him through his paces and didn’t think he was match fit.”

Allscott have had a mixed season to date, sitting eighth out of 17 teams in Division One.

Their topsy-turvy campaign was highlighted by Saturday's 4-1 win at high-flying Darlaston Town, a result that arrived on the back of two defeats.

In an attempt to keep Raiders ticking over a friendly has been arranged with Oldbury United on November 17.