GLASSBOYS boss Gary Hackett says he'll give star striker Luke Benbow the time he needs to be fit and firing for the play-offs.

The 18-goal hitman has missed the last five games and not been seen since bagging a hat-trick in the 4-0 win over Leiston at the start of March.

While Benbow is back training after a groin problem, Hackett says he'll be doing all he can to make sure the forward ready for the Southern League Central's end of season promotion fight.

He said: "Luke is back training with us now but the game against Rushden will just come a little too soon.

"We want to make sure he is right, ready and firing, especially in the play-offs, so we'll give him all the time he needs.

"We've sat down with him and discussed a plan to make sure we get to where we need to be.

"We tried it before where we rushed him back and he ended up missing a play-off game so this time we'll be taking the sensible option."

Stour missed Benbow's clinical finishing when they drew 0-0 at Needham Market last Saturday.

Hackett added: "It was a bit frustrating but it was a tough game.

"It was actually a good game for a 0-0 draw and both teams had the chances to win it.

"We have struggled a way from home recently so it was nice to come away with a point that all but secures our place in the play-offs.

"At the start of the season that was our main objective and now we have achieved that we move onto to the next one to win the play-offs.

"We have four tough games first and we want to carry some momentum going forwards and we'll need the fans to really get behind us so we end as strong as we can.

"They have been great all season and will be important to us heading into a big part of the season."

Stour will look to return to winning ways when they go to Rushden and Diamonds this Saturday.

They will be without Darryl Westlake after the defender was ruled out for the rest of the season because he needs surgery on his on-going ankle injury.