JUST when Ashley Hoskin thought things couldn't get any worse, he takes his Rossendale United side to Ilkeston Town tomorrow - to take on a player who earns more money than the whole of his squad put together.

Former Nottingham Forest striker Nigel Jemson will lead the line for the Derbyshire side, who are third in UniBond Division One and splashing the cash in a bid for promotion.

The 35-year-old notched more than 100 league goals in a career that began at Preston, and he scored twice as Shrewsbury Town knocked Everton out of the FA Cup in a famous shock less than two years ago.

Jemson will be looking to inflict more misery on Dale's leaky defence, who suffered a 5-2 home defeat to Mossley on Tuesday, a result that came hot on the heels of a 4-1 FA Cup exit against Liversedge on Saturday.

And boss Hoskin is well aware of another daunting prospect as they prepare to face a team managed by Jemson's former Forest team-mate Steve Chettle.

Hoskin said: "Their wage bill at this level is phenomenal and when they have a player that's on more than your whole team, what can you do? We just have to get on with it.

"It's 11 v 11 and you have to try to compete, but it will be tough, as every game is.

"It's been highlighted over and over again that the wage bill here has been cut 60 per cent so I hate going on about it. But it is worth a mention when a player is getting more than your squad."

But Hoskin is in positive mood ahead of the visit to Ilkeston because he was encouraged by the performance against Mossley.

Despite another heavy defeat, he was far less critical of his side than he was following the meek surrender of their FA Cup dream three days earlier.

Hoskin said: "Last Saturday was totally unacceptable and I learnt that some of the lads aren't good enough.

"The fans had every right to express their feelings, I've got no problem with that, they've paid their money.

"But some new lads have come in and they did very well against Mossley, it was just schoolboy errors that we got punished for.

"But believe it or not, I was pleased with the performance. We knocked it about and completed well but a bad 10 minutes cost us.

"I'm taking positive things from it. I want to keep this squad together, work with them on the training ground and take them as far as I can.

"I haven't managed to pick the same side two weeks running yet because of injuries and finding out which lads aren't up to it. But we're going in the right direction towards getting that settled squad."

Departures this week included Chris Brooks and Robbie Smith, who walked out after being dropped on Tuesday night.

Former Witton Albion and Leek Town centre back Brad Clegg made his debut against Mossley and Hoskin has also been impressed by the contributions of new signings Peter Corvino and Gambian Baboucarr Njie.

However, there are injury doubts ahead of the trip to Ilkeston, with Ian Barker, Jamie Dalton and Stuart Cartridge all picking up knocks on Tuesday.