Lovell seeks reinforcements to combat cripling injury crisis - EXCLUSIVE

Sittingbourne boss Steve Lovell faces a crippling injury crisis ahead of their trip to Whyteleafe on Tuesday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

“We’ll it’s going to be a tough game,” Lovell predicted when speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s always going to be a tough game up there, but we’ve got loads of injuries.”

Versatile player Anthony Allman (hamstring) and defender James Campbell (ribs) were added to the crippling injury list, picking up injuries during their morale boosting 1-0 victory at Chipstead.

Lovell blasted his players following their FA Cup exit at the hands of local rivals Dartford in midweek, after going out in a second qualifying round replay at Bourne Park.

But he was “very pleased” that his players bounced back at High Road, Chipstead yesterday.

“It was a good solid performance against a team that really didn’t look like they were bottom of the league,” said Lovell.

“We scored after about twenty minutes and then they put us under a bit of pressure, but we defended very well without them creating too many chances.”

The Welsh boss revealed that he didn’t have to say too much to his players following their Dartford debacle - where four of the Darts five goals came during a 21 minute period during the first half.

He said: “I didn’t say anything because they knew what they had to do after Tuesday’s game, so once I picked the team and the formation we were going to play, they knew they had to respond with a better performance than Tuesday.”

Lovell will need to do a head count prior to their game at Whyteleafe at Church Road on Tuesday night.

Sittingbourne’s injury list currently looks like this:

Goalkeeper Josh Willis, who injured his knee after conceding the fourth goal just before the break against the Darts in midweek, is expected to be “out for a couple of months at least”.

Lee Hockey - broken foot - 4-6 weeks
Anthony Hogg - ankle and groin - a couple of weeks
Anthony Allman - hamstring - might be unavailable for a couple of weeks
James Campbell - damaged ribs - will know extent of injury on Tuesday
Tristan Knowles - hamstring
Colin Richmond - nasty gash on his leg
Steve Hafner - knee

A despondent Lovell said: “From the team that started the first 2-3 games, I’m seven players down from that team, with Lee Browning going (to Dover Athletic) as well.

“It’s a massive injury list so we’ve got to pull a team together for Tuesday and between now and Saturday try to bring in a couple of loan players to make up the numbers.

“Same thing happened last year. We started very well and the injuries started this time last year and took it’s toll.”

Lovell added: “I’m pleased we got three points yesterday - we did very well.”

Lovell is expected to keep faith with Sabeur Trabelsi, Colin Richmond and Dave Norris for the foreseeable future, and will give players that are not first choice, a chance to impress.

“These boys are having a chance to show themselves a little bit a bit earlier than I anticipated,” said Lovell.

“I need someone to make the numbers up. We’re down to, I think I might have eleven fit players for Tuesday. I have to dig a few out tomorrow, see if I have something for Tuesday.

“I’ve never had it so bad with injuries, they’re not short term injuries either.

“I’ll have enough players, hopefully Tristan (Knowles) will be fit for Tuesday and I’ve got James Gregory to give a game to show me what they’ve got but (these are) boys who haven’t had much match practise in the first team.”

And Lovell added: “It’s a hard place to go Whyteleafe as well on a Tuesday night, but we’ll give it our best shot.”

Visit Sittingbourne’s website: www.sittingbournefc.co.uk

Whyteleafe v Sittingbourne
Ryman League Division One South
Tuesday 25^th September 2007
Kick Off 7:45pm
At 15 Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey, CR3 0AR