FA Trophy Preview - AFC Telford v Corby Town

Corby Town are facing an injury crisis ahead of their FA Carlsberg Trophy third qualifying round clash at AFC Telford United tomorrow. The Steelmen appear to have paid the price for another heroic effort as their FA Cup hopes were ended by Luton Town in the 4-2 defeat at Kenilworth Road on Wednesday.

Influential skipper Richard Lavery is set for at least three weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury which forced him off during the first half in the first-round replay while Asa Charlton's ankle problem has now taken its toll.

Dean West has a calf injury, Adam Webster needed stitches in his knee after last weekend's 1-0 win over Workington and Glenn Walker - one of the scorers on Wednesday - also has a hamstring injury.

With Danny Pitham and Steve Towers also carrying knocks, it makes grim
reading for boss Graham Drury who is now desperately searching around for replacements to help patch up his weary squad.

"It's not an ideal situation and we are paying the price for some hard-fought matches against some very good teams in recent weeks," Drury said.

"We have four major players out injured and others carrying knocks. At the moment I think we will only have 13 fit players for the game.

"We have a couple of lads, Andy Gooding and Phil Watt, out on loan so we will have to try to get them back and check with the FA to see if they have played in the Trophy.

"I have a couple of targets but teams don't want to loan players out to play in the Trophy so it's a difficult situation for us.

"Everybody has been excited about playing in the games we have had just recently but it has taken its toll on us."

Nathan Jarman - who was sent off at Luton - is available with his suspension due to start in just under two weeks.

Full Preview available in The Corby Evening Telegraph

By John Dunham