Stourbridge captain injury blow

Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett has been left reeling after club captain Adam Bastable was ruled out for six weeks with knee ligament damage.

The midfielder was injured in the 2-2 draw with Romulus last weekend and now faces a long spell on the sidelines - casting a shadow over the Glassboys' fine recent form which has seen them notch four points out of six.

Hackett admits the injury is a big blow but has urged his stand-ins to 'prove themselves' in Bastable's absence.

"It is a big blow for Adam because he is an important player and our club captain.

"But while it is very disappointing but we have go to get on with it because in football these things do happen," he said.

"His injury presents an opportunity for someone else to come in and prove that they are capable of filling that role.

"We are disappointed but injuries are part and parcel of football and we might have to cope with more before the end of the season," he said.

The bad news on Bastable has been slightly tempered by the return of form of striker Sam Rock.

He has notched three goals in two games, and Hackett is delighted to see him firing on all cylinders again.

"I'm delighted for Sam. He's a local lad with a great attitude and I always knew it would only be a matter of time," he said.

"He's been getting in the positions to score but he's just not been able to put the final touch on it. But it looks like he's back on form now and we're all happy for him," he said.

Hackett is also looking for new faces - with a new striker a priority after loaning Keith Russell to Pelsall Villa.

The boss thinks the next fortnight might see progress on that front. Something could happen soon with new players.

"I do think that we need a couple of new players because our squad isn't the biggest at the moment - and we do have injuries.

"You do make approaches for players but in this league you need to have something signed and sealed before you can be sure it will happen."