IAN Street will be forced to make at least two changes to a side that started last time out when 1874 Northwich host Maine Road.

Though still smarting from a 1-0 defeat at Atherton Collieries 10 days ago, he told the Guardian he expects a reaction on their return to action at St Luke’s Barton Stadium tonight, kick off 7.45pm.

Full-back Matthew Russell is absent due to work commitments, while attacker Sam Hind (hamstring) is ruled out by an injury he aggravated during that narrow loss to their promotion rivals.

Front man Scott McGowan has since left to re-join former club Congleton.

Street has called up Dilan Lomas as cover, while George Whiteoak – who moved in the opposite direction to McGowan last week – is another alternative in defence.

Ryan Jackson (knee) and Danny Thomas (face) are long-term injury absentees.

For now at least, Street ruled out strengthening his squad.

He said: “I’ll see how things go in the next week or so.

“We’ll always keep an eye open in case an opportunity arises, and we may take a look at a forward this week in training, but I think we have enough strength in depth.”

Maine Road arrive in Winsford on the back of four successive league defeats during February.

However they did hold 1874 to a draw during the teams’ previous meeting this season at Brantingham Road.

They also won last term’s corresponding fixture.