AT HOME to Walsall on Saturday, Harrogate Town will be boosted by the return of a player who scored twice for his country.

It is a sign of the Sulphurites' evolution and the strength of English league football that such a statement could be true. It also offers the chance to build on a 1-1 draw at Notts County.

That was achieved despite 12 players out but the return of Jack Evans from suspension and Jacob Slater and Stephen Duke-McKenna from international duty has got the absentees down to single figures. And in Guyana forward McKenna they have a player who should be high on confidence.

"I'm delighted three young players – all aspiring to do well in the game, who have all performed well this season – are back," said manager Simon Weaver. "Jacob will be fresh because he hasn't really had any gametime (with Republic of Ireland Under-21s). Dukey's had a long way to travel so we'll have to have a look at him.

"It's great (for Duke-McKenna) because you start visualising the next goal. That's eight so far this season for him.

"He rang up and was delighted, he said it (his goal against Antigua and Barbuda) was an old-school centre-forward's header."

Tom Cursons spoke in similar terms after his first league goal of 2025-26 at Meadow Lane, where the team effort hugely impressed Weaver.

"I thought it was a proper passionate display deserving of probably more than the point given the players ran through brick walls," he said. "Several players were up to 12k and we have to display that kind of level of enthusiasm and energy and never-say-die spirit.

"It was wanting it more than the opposition that made us get the point and very nearly three."