NEWCOMER Steve Woods is set to sit out Northwich Victoria’s top-of-the-table clash with Matlock Town on Saturday week after limping out of last night’s match.

The former Torquay United stopper was replaced by Keil O’Brien before half time in Vics’ 3-1 win over Worksop Town after straining a calf muscle.

“It’s the law of sod no?” said Vics’ boss Andy Preece.

“We wait for so long to get him to the club and then he suffers an injury in the first half on his debut.

“I don’t think it’s serious, but I expect him to be missing for a couple of weeks.”

Preece told the Guardian he is now certain to ask Oldham Athletic for permission to extend Hungarian defender Ferenc Fodor’s loan stay at the Victoria Stadium.

His initial month-long spell ended following Saturday’s win at Ossett.

“Freddy wouldn’t have played against Worksop in any case because he tweaked a hamstring at the weekend,” revealed Preece.

“That had left me in two minds over what to do so soon after signing Steve [Woods], but that decision has now been made for me.”

He hopes to agree terms in time for Vics’ trip to Sheffield in the FA Cup’s second qualifying round on Saturday.

Meanwhile Woods’ on-pitch impact will not be felt now until next month.

“It’s a blow, because even in the short time he was out there [against Worksop] you had started to see the positive influence he can have,” added Preece.