Manager Andy Coyles expects to have a strong squad to choose from for Penrith AFC’s home clash against Ryhope CW.

Over the festive period, Bonny Blues boss Coyles admits unavailability, injuries and illness have left him changing his squad for matches on virtually an hourly basis.

But Whitehaven-born Coyles believes his squad “is a lot more settled” ahead of today’s match at home to Ryhope CW (3pm kick-off) - the Bonny Blues’ first home fixture of 2019.

“Over the last three or four weeks, we have been changing the squad, pretty much by the hour. This week is a lot more settled,” he admitted.

Coyles, whose Penrith side are currently rooted at the foot of the Northern League Division One table, added: “On paper, we have a very decent squad.

"It’s actually having them all available.

“We have a few who are teachers and Christmas is the only time they can get away, and a few have had the sickness bug that’s going around.

"This afternoon is the first time we have had everybody available to choose from.”

Since Coyles took the reins at Frenchfield Park in October, Penrith’s performances have been good at home, but more inconsistent on the road.

“Home performances have been really positive. What you are guaranteed at Frenchfield Park is goals, at either end,” Coyles said.

“Home performances have been good, and that’s why I think fans have been coming back.”

Penrith met Ryhope CW as recently ago as December 1, falling to a slender 3-2 defeat despite goals from Adam Main and Shaun Gardner.

Recalling that game, Coyles said: “We were 2-0 down at half-time and got back to 2-2, but then, one of our lads got a little bit too confident and we ended up conceding almost straight after we’d equalised.

“But it’s a game we have learnt from.”