BOSS Paul Collicutt thinks patience could be vital in Evesham United’s home clash with Paulton Rovers in Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West tomorrow (3pm).

The Robins manager believes Tony Ricketts’ Paulton will prove a tough nut to crack as second-placed Evesham bid to strengthen their promotion hopes.

Evesham “missed a hatful” of chances in a frustrating 1-1 home draw against North Leigh last Saturday.

United could be without striker Adam Mann who fell through a roof this week.

“We played pretty well against North Leigh and could have scored a hatful of goals but missed chances,” said Collicutt.

“North Leigh’s defence made it hard for us and I am expecting a bit more of that from other teams this season.”

Paulton are 16th in the table and were comfortably beaten 3-0 at home by Evesham last September.

But Collicutt said: “When I was skipper at Trowbridge, Tony was the captain at Bath and I know Paulton will be organised and hard to break down.

“Paulton are much better now than when we played them earlier in the season and we will have to play well and keep patient at all times.”

Winger Carl Brown (groin) and forward Sam Pearson (quad muscle) will miss the match, while defender Linden Dovey (ankle) faces a late fitness test.

There is also a doubt over Mann who suffered a dead leg in his accident while working as a roofer in Slough.

“We will have to see how Adam is but we have got players waiting in the wings and a competitive squad,” added Collicutt.