The club's leading scorer, with seven goals, limped out of the game against Boston United in the previous round a fortnight ago, and it was feared he could be out for up to a month with a thigh injury.

However, Casswell says the player has responded well to treatment and could force his way into the match-day squad.

"It's good news. Dan has been having treatment for the past couple of weeks and things are progressing a little quicker than we thought they would.

"He has been working with the physio and doing a little straight running, so we will have another look at him closer to the game and assess the situation."

Shelley is the only worry ahead of the meeting with Blyth Spartans, who are still talked about in these part after the non-leaguers beat Stoke City 3-2 in the fourth round of the FA Cup at the Victoria Ground in 1978.

"We go into the tie with everyone champing at the bit and hoping to be part of the day.

"It's leaves me with a bit of a headache having practically everyone to choose from, but it's a nice problem to have."

Casswell believes home advantage will help Leek in their bid to reach the first round for the first time since the 1993/94 season when they lost 3-0 at Wigan Athletic in a replay after drawing 2-2 at Harrison Park.

"All you can ask for when the draw is made is to be at home. Now it's down to us. But if we can produce the performance we did in the last round against Boston United then we give ourselves a great chance.

"If we play as we did in the Trophy last season against Hungerford, then we won't have a chance."

Leek had claimed the big scalps of Altrincham and Brackley Town before coming up against Hungerford, one step above Leek in the pyramid, only to lose 1-0.

"We were not on our game that day and I can't remember being so disappointed after a match for a long time.

"Most of the players who will be turning out tomorrow played in that game, so I just hope they don't let the same thing happen again."

Leek go into the match sitting eighth in the Evo-Stik Division One South table, but due to cup commitments, have games in hand on all but one of the teams above them.

Blyth are fourth-from-bottom of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table, and were held to a 1-1 draw at home by leaders Skelmersdale United on Tuesday.

However, despite their lowly position, Casswell says they will arrive at Harrison Park as favourites.

"They are not that bad a team. They've got some good players up front in Danny Maguire and Jonathyn Quinn, while Rob Dale pulls the string in midfield.

In fact Dale is leading the scoring charts with eight goals, while Maguire has five.

Meanwhile, Leek chairman Andy Wain has almost seen it all and done it all during his years with the club, from steward, chief steward, director and then chairman. But he still admits to getting a buzz when the big occasions some along.

"I remember going to watch Leek when they got to the FA Trophy final at Wembley in 1990, which was a fantastic occasion, but we have had some other good days in cup competitions.

"We are never going to win the FA Cup, but it would be nice to get as far as the first round.

"We have had some good battles in the FA Cup and FA Trophy over the years and it all helps to put our club on the map."

Wain believes the experience in the Leek team will stand them in good stead when Blyth roll into town.

"Most of the players were with the club last season when we only just failed to clinch promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

"They are another year older and wiser, and with the likes of Dan Shelley, Andy Kinsey, Ant Danylyk and Jordan Johnson in the side the experience is there to succeed."

He also had words of praise for he manager, adding: "Lee is a local lad and has the club at heart."