Injury crisis for Rangers

Stafford Rangers could be facing Cambridge tomorrow without a recognised central defender in their squad.

Skipper Wayne Daniel, star man Jimi Sangare and loanee Cedric Avinel are all nursing injuries as the Marston Road sick list continues to grow.

Manager Phil Robinson's plans have also been knocked by Kevin Street being laid low with gastric flu, while striker David McNiven's back strain showed no improvement.

And having slumped further behind the Blue Square Premier safety zone through Tuesday's defeat at York, Robinson can only field a patched together team against one of the league's promotion contenders.

"We're fingers crossed that one or two of them might be available, but there are serious doubts," said Robinson.

"Even on paper, a game against Cambridge would be a difficult one, however if you add in the fact that we have some of our most experienced players out, it's going to be more so."It will be as big test, but we have a close-knit and committed bunch of players and we are determined to try to get that first home win."

New signing Tom Youngs, the former Bury forward, is likely to be making his home debut and player-coach Dave Oldfield will again be pressed into service.

Tomorrow's fixture will go ahead at 3pm, despite Rangers' attempts to avoid a clash with England's televised Euro qualifier.

Cambridge refused a change to kick-off time.

"The fans are being forced to make a choice and we know it is going to affect our gate," said secretary Mike Hughes.

"We did everything we could, even complained to the league, but they said you have to have the consent of both clubs.

"We are very disappointed - you would hope that everybody in football would do each other a favour. It begs the question what their attitude would have been if it had been Cambridge's home game."

Rangers (from): Loach, Alcock, Sutton, Daniel, Avinel, Murray, Flynn, Arnolin, Draper, Grayson, Adaggio, Ingram, Hopkinson, Oldfield, Robinson, Youngs, Hamilton.