KARL Marginson reckons FC United are right on course for a third successive title thanks to the return of Stuart Rudd and David Chadwick.

Both players have recovered from cruciate ligament injuries which kept them out for more than three months.

Last season's top scorer Rudd and club captain Chadwick are both in line to face league leaders Skelmersdale on Saturday - a game that could prove crucial to the Rebels' promotion hopes.

Marginson said: "Stuart got 48 goals for us last year and has been a big miss. Having him back is like a big money signing.

"The lads who came in for him and Dave have been amazing, but one thing we lost with those two was experience.

"A lot of young lads came in and had to learn what this club was all about."

United are 10 points behind Skelmersdale, but have four games in hand on the UniBond First Division North leaders, who slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Giant Axe on Tuesday.

After seeing their last three matches postponed, Marginson says his players are desperate to resume their title challenge.

"It's been frustrating but hopefully they will have that added hunger," he said.

"You can see in training how much they want to get back out there because they know they've got a chance of winning the league.

"One of the bonuses about not playing is the fact that no one has stretched too far clear of us.

"We can go above both Skelmersdale and Curzon Ashton if we win our games in hand. The only team we can't go above is Bradford Park - but we've still got them to play.

"We've been in great form and if we keep on going the way we are, I'm confident we can mount another title challenge."