MARK Bower will look to utilise his full squad as Guiseley’s marathon month culminates with two games in three days over the Bank Holiday weekend.

The Lions, thumped 4-0 at home by Aldershot last weekend, face Gateshead at Nethermoor on Saturday before a trip to Chester on Monday.

The Lions' boss could hand opportunities to a number of fringe players after several featured in a 4-1 defeat to Bradford Park Avenue in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Tuesday.

Bower, whose side will have played seven games by the end of the month, said: “Before the Aldershot performance, we had seven points from four games, which was probably not a fair reflection of the performances we put in.

“We’ve got two games in three days now, so we will look to utilise all the squad and possibly make one or two changes from the Aldershot game, so everyone has got to be ready.

“The behind-closed-doors match on Tuesday was for the lads who have not been playing, so everyone has had some game-time in the last week or so.

“It’s difficult being part-time when you’re up against full-time opposition because their lads who don’t play are being well looked after in training.

“We’ve just got to do the best we can to look after not only the lads who are playing but also the lads who aren’t in the side at that given moment in time.

“They all did well but the lads are not at the club to be playing those sort of matches – they want to be playing first-team games on a Saturday.

“The attitude and fitness levels were good and Ben Parker, coming back from injury, got 90 minutes under his belt and that will have done him the world of good.

“But all the senior players who played did well and four or five of the academy lads that were involved showed their promise.

“Hopefully it will stand all the players who featured in good stead for the next couple of weeks.”

Although Parker is getting closer to full fitness, Gavin Rothery picked up an ankle injury against Aldershot and could miss out this weekend.

Reflecting on last weekend’s heavy loss, Bower added: “We can’t overact because we’ve got a good squad of players and we have to utilise it well.”