CAPTAIN Steve Woods will take no further part in Northwich Victoria’s Premier Division play-offs push after signing for title favourites FC Halifax Town on loan.

The former Torquay United stopper, who has been restricted by injuries to just a dozen starts for his home town club since signing in September, completed the move today, Monday.

“It was a difficult choice we had to make,” said manager Andy Preece.

“We’ve gone slightly over budget with the additions we’ve made recently, so something had to give.

“He’s not lost to us though.”

Woods, 34, penned a contract through to the end of next season after leaving Blue Square Bet North club Stalybridge Celtic.

But problems with his health – most recently a back strain – have hampered his ability to hold down a regular starting place in the team.

Preece told the Guardian that Raphale Evans and Pedro Monteiro could provide cover for regulars Michael Byron, who took over from Woods as skipper in Saturday’s 2-1 win at North Ferriby United, and Dominic Collins.

He added: “We’ll sit down with Steve at the end of the season and look at where we’re headed depending on which division we’ll be playing in.”

Northwich further trimmed their playing staff at the weekend with the release of Osebi Abadaki, David Thompson and Stuart Wellstead to Radcliffe Borough, Marine and Woodley Sports respectively.