A TRIP to South Shields holds no fear for Warrington Town – and nor should it.

Mariners Park is a place that holds happy memories for them. They have won twice there this calendar year ahead of their latest visit on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

With May’s memorable play-off final victory still fresh in the minds of both teams, Saturday’s meeting will once again be of two sides desperate to be in the promotion picture.

Third-place Yellows are four points behind Shields, who lead the BetVictor Northern Premier Division.

Another win on Tyneside would send out quite the statement – and that is exactly what they are after.

“It’s another tough game in this run that we have now,” manager Paul Carden said.

“We know what they’re about and we know it’s a tough place to go, but we’ve won up there.

“We’re not going up there with any fear. We’ll respect South Shields for the good side they are, but we want to impose ourselves on them.

“The league has been a bit scrappy if I’ve been honest.

“Nobody is really grabbing it by the scruff of the neck but there are teams that are gathering momentum.

“We’ve just got to make sure that we maintain ours now. There’s still a long way to go and there’s still a lot to play for, but it’s good at the minute.”

Carden is boosted by the return of Jack Dunn from a long-term knee injury.

The winger made his first appearance in two months as a late substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Nantwich Town, and the temptation could be to use the 25-year-old from the start.

Warrington Guardian:

Jack Dunn – seen here scoring against the Mariners in a 2-1 league victory in February – could start on Saturday. Picture by John Hopkins

Dylan Vassallo and Josh Amis – Yellows’ goalscorers in their 2-1 win over the Mariners in the play-off match – will miss out with knee and foot injuries respectively.

They are boosted, however, with the signing of former Everton and Cardiff City youngster Tyrone Duffus.

The 22-year-old, who can operate in defence or midfield, made his debut off the bench against Nantwich and Carden says he will form a very important part of his squad.

“Tyrone is a proper athlete,” he said.

“I’m not looking at him as cover – I don’t like bringing people in who aren’t going to give us options for the starting 11 – but he’s very athletic and strong.

“He’ll be very important for us because he offers us attributes in a number of positions.

“We let Jay McCarten go and we had players who could fill in but not anyone who’s a centre-half as such.

“He is a centre-half first and foremost but he can play anywhere across the back line and midfield.”

Meanwhile, Yellows full-back Tom Warren has committed his future to the club by signing a new deal.

The former Everton youngster has been rewarded for a fine start to his Cantilever Park career with an 18-month deal, tying him to the club until the end of next season.

Warren has made 14 appearances for Town so far this season.