GUISELEY'S players are "champing at the bit" to return to action after a two-week break but face a tough test, according to joint-manager Marcus Bignot.

The Lions had a blank weekend to recharge their batteries ahead of a busy few months of the season.

They return with a double header in the Vanarama National League North, starting with second-placed Stockport County travelling to Nethermoor on Saturday. This will be followed by a trip to AFC Telford United on Tuesday night.

Guiseley are fourth-from-bottom in the table, four points ahead of the bottom three with 30 points from 27 games. They have also recorded 12 draws this term, the most in the division.

But Bignot is under no illusions of the task that faces them against Jim Gannon's high-flying Stockport on Saturday, who have lost only five out of their 28 games so far this season.

Bignot says he and fellow joint-manager Russ O'Neill are working on bolstering their ranks and are hoping to sign one or two players before their tricky weekend clash.

Bignot said: "It was a welcome two-week break and was an opportunity to get one or two players back from injury.

"It has been good to get some work into the boys, both physically and mentally.

"We are looking to add competition and sign one or two players in areas we feel we need improving in. We are looking at strengthening defensively, but there are other areas we need to look at.

"Upfront, our strikers are currently in a rich vein of form, but we need competition there as well."

Bignot added his Guiseley, who lost 5-4 to Boston United in their last league fixture on January 26, are going through a period of tricky fixtures and Stockport's visit is the start of a run of five games during a busy month for his side.

He said: "Stockport on Saturday is in the middle of a run of really tough games for us. We have been involved in some tough games against the big clubs.

"Saturday's game is an opportunity for us. We have had two weeks good preparation for the game. We are ready for Stockport, they are flying high. You just have to look at their last game; they beat Harrogate Town in the FA Trophy.

"For us, we needed this two-week break to recharge us.

"Ultimately, players want to play in games and, if things are going well, they can't wait to play the next game and, if things aren't going well, they want the next game to put it right straight away.

"We're looking forward to this next run of games for us."