STUDLEY bosses John Edwards and Wayne Bunn admit a growing fixture backlog could force them to target reinforcements, but there will be no knee-jerk signings.
Wednesday night’s planned clash with Atherstone Town was called off because of the Adders’ FA Vase replay, while there is already a concern over whether the trip to Rocester on Saturday will go ahead due to more forecast storms.
The third-placed Bees still have 14 Midland League Division One games to play – a third of the season – and while Edwards and Bunn have numbers in their squad they are aware they will need to cover certain areas.
Left-back has been a problem area with Reece Staley out for the season and Lewis Marston also being sidelined, while a move for a potential addition fell through last week.
“We’ve got quite a strong squad but you are going to pick up injuries so you need to be prepared,” said Edwards.
“But at the same time there’s no point making signings just for the sake of it. They need to add to what we’ve got.”
There is more hopeful news that Marston will not require surgery after damaging ankle tendons but he is not expected to make any comeback until next month.
“It’s good news he doesn’t need an operation,” Edwards added. “He is already jogging but I still can’t see him being ready to play for at least two to three weeks.”
In Marston’s absence, Matt Edwards has slotted into the left-back duties with Jean Kalenda taking over in midfield and it has not weakened what has been a solid back line and one which has kept four clean sheets in a row.
Studley and leaders Leicester Road had to settle for a goalless stalemate on Saturday, with Edwards admitting the grim conditions made it a forgettable contest.
“It was probably a fair result,” he conceded. “It was a poor game ruined by the weather, with the wind, a difficult pitch.
“Leicester Road are very well prepared and they don’t make many mistakes so, having had time to reflect, I was happy.”
For this weekend, midfielder Max Loveridge is back available.
Studley’s Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Cup semi-final against West Midlands League Premier side Darlaston Town has been arranged for Tuesday, February 25.
