Sam Grimshaw, Adam Shaw, Callum Nicholls, Kieran Henderson and Reiss Price return from injuries to boost Bournville ahead of Saturday’s National Two West match against Loughborough Students at Avery Fields (3pm).
Grimshaw and Henderson (concussion), Shaw (shoulder) and Nicholls and Price (dead legs) were all missing when Bourns went down to a heavy defeat at Luctonians two weeks ago.
Grimshaw, Shaw and Nicholls all start against Loughborough with Henderson and Price named as replacements among ten changes to the matchday squad.
Birmingham University centre Will Loftus will make his seasonal debut as Grimshaw’s midfield partner with Joe Jenkins and Mikey Ho returning on the wings having been unavailable in recent weeks.
Ben Meakin, who was unavailable for the Luctonians match, returns to lead the side having skippered Bournville Blues to victory over Droitwich last week with James Weaver also promoted from the Blues as one of the front-row replacements.
Oscar Fawkes-Underwood switches to full-back from the left wing with centre Will Tanner moving to the bench.
Loughborough arrive at Avery Fields having been reprieved from relegation at the end of last season after Macclesfield, who were due to transfer from National Two North, were demoted.
After a sticky start to the season they have beaten Old Redcliffians and Luctonians, both at home, in the past month which have moved them two places and five points above Bourns.
The Students have yet to win at Avery Fields in four previous visits in the National Leagues although they did earn a share of the spoils with a 38-38 draw in November 2022.
Bournville: 15 Oscar Fawkes-Underwood; 14 Joe Jenkins, 13 Will Loftus, 12 Sam Grimshaw, 11 Mikey Ho; 10 Jacob Fewtrell, 9 Adam Collingwood; 1 Clarkson McLeod, 2 Jamie Harding, 3 Jake Thompson, 4 Ben Meakin (C), 5 Harry Dawson, 6 Harry Sigley, 7 Adam Shaw, 8 Callum Nicholls.
Replacements: 16 James Weaver, 17 Scott Rudge, 18 Kieran Henderson, 19 Reiss Price, 20 Will Tanner.
*Bournville Blues will be seeking a fourth straight Counties Two Midlands West (East) win when they host Harbury as the first part of Saturday’s Avery Fields double-header (2.15pm).
Jamie Maynard, Elliot Tanner, Joe Carter, Kuba Kijak, George Jewell and Paddy Smallman, who were all in the first team squad at Luctonians, will all start for the Blues this week.
Bournville Blues: 15 Gregor Watson; 14 Aaron Esiri, 13 Harry Housley, 12 Jamie Maynard, 11 Louis Stival; 10 Elliot Tanner, 9 Joe Carter; 1 Sean Kimberley, 2 Ben Harper, 3 Kuba Kijak, 4 Monte McPhee, 5 George Bann, 6 Callum Bates, 7 George Jewell, 8 Paddy Smallman (C).
Replacements: 16 Conor Thorneycroft, 17 Lionel Muskwe, 18 Craig Manning.
