RESERVE keeper Michael Jones will be joining Blue Square North side Hinckley United on loan for a month and likely for the remainder of the season, as the Leicestershire club enters the final phase of their battle to avoid relegation to the Dr Martens League.

With Leigh RMI looking likely to finish at the bottom of the table, then it seems to be two from three clubs to join them in dropping out of the Northern Division.

Hinckley currently occupy the last of the three relegation places, but only three points cover Vauxhall Motors, Hinckley and Hucknall Town.

"It's a challenge and one I'm looking forward to," said Michael.

"I'll be at the club on Friday morning to sign the necessary paperwork and then head over to Hinckley, as they have a home game with Leigh on Saturday.

"Playing first team football is what I need at the moment and Hinckley have a number of games left this season.

"One particular fixture has already caught my eye, as on April 14, there is a game against Tamworth, which will bring me up against both Jamie Reed and Gareth Evans!"

Nicknamed the Knitters, in honour of the local wool trade, they have not long moved to the new purpose built Marston Stadium on the east side of the town, which is situated halfway between Coventry and Leicester, just off the M69.

The club only coming into existence in 1997, when Hinckley Town and Hinckley Athletic merged, to try and form one big club that could move up the non-league pyramid, something that was achieved over the last decade.

Managed by former Notts County captain Dean Thomas, who is assisted by ex-Cardiff midfielder Nicky Platnauer, they also have Wrexham-born Nick Cartwright, son of legendary 70's Racecourse winger Les, in their squad, but the club's record appearance holder is currently missing due to a broken leg.

In goal recently has been Dale Belford, who returned to the club last summer as their goalkeeping coach, but he was called upon to replace the incumbent Sean Bowles at half time in a recent home defeat to Stalybridge Celtic, and the aforementioned glovesman now appears to have left Marston Stadium!

With four straight defeats behind them, Thomas and Platnauer have turned to the Reds to loan Michael to see if he can help slow down the flood of goals they have been conceding of late - now amounting to 17 since the start of February.

The Liverpool born keeper has been at Wrexham since joining as a youngster and made his debut at Chesterfield in January 2005. He has gone onto play a number of times since, including games against both Port Vale and Aston Villa in this season's Carling Cup.

This weekend he will make his Hinckley debut as they face a 'must win' fixture at home to Leigh, but they also face games with Hucknall Town and Vauxhall Motors, so survival is very much in their own hands.