ALCESTER Town fear they will have to rule out three players – player-manager Danny Janes, and defenders James Cund and Ashley Bunn – for the rest of the season.
Janes says it will be a test of the squad for the Midland League Division Three season.
Cund and Bunn, who have both played half a dozen times this term, have suffered long-term knee injuries and Janes will be missing for six to eight months to recover from a serious arm fracture.
Janes, however, believes the strength in depth is present in the squad to shake off the set-back.
“Last season we had the second best defence in the league, the three of us made up that defence,” said Janes.
“Losing us three along with midfielders Matthew Edwards, Luke Grubb and Danny Byford who went on to play at a higher level, demonstrates the re-building we have had to do in a short space of time.
“I think credit must go to the management team as we have recruited players on a similar level with the likes of Chris Lowe and James Robbins in defence, as well I believe massively improving our midfield in Lewis Marston and Lewis Fathers.
“I don’t think many teams could suffer those setbacks and still recruit the standard of players we have.”
Alcester chalked up a fifth win in six matches last weekend after a 2-1 victory at AFC Solihull in the Birmingham Vase first round.
The home side took the lead through Andy Matthews, but Alcester hit back with strikes from Stuart Hall, who was making his debut, and James Ward.
Hall tapped home the equaliser just before half-time from Wil Beach’s cross and then Beach was involved in the winner.
He was barged over in the Solihull box and Ward, on as a substitute, slotted home the penalty.
Janes was pleased to get through – Alcester are at home to Silhill in the next stage – but admitted there were also lessons to learn.
“Again we could have come in at the break with four or five goals, but we were not clinical enough when we created chances,” he said.
“The second half was disappointing. We should have managed the game better and kept the ball – that is an element of our game we need to look at.”
Alcester, fifth in Division Three, return to league action tomorrow (Saturday) when they entertain Enville Athletic at Old Stratford Road.
