Rangers floored by treble trouble

Stafford Rangers' FA Trophy hopes today took a nosedive with three massive hammer blows ahead of tonight's replay at Tamworth.

With a money-spinning quarter-final at home to Aldershot awaiting the winners, Rangers were rocked by the news that defender Jemiah Richards will not play again this season.

The youngster, who has come through Rangers' youth system to claim a regular place alongside skipper Wayne Daniel, broke a foot in Saturday's 2-2 draw with the Lambs.

Body blow No 2 is a hamstring injury to striker Marco Adaggio, suffered in his first start for months, which will sideline him for a further three weeks.

But possibly most damaging of all is Crewe's refusal to extend the loan of left-back Ryan Lynch, who has been ordered back to Gresty Road at the end of his month-long stint.

"Crewe have their own problems, including a long list of injuries, but it does leave us struggling for defenders," said Rangers secretary and financial director Mike Hughes.

"We can't even take anyone on loan for this game because they won't be eligible for a replay."

Caretaker bosses Neil Grayson and Kevin Street are already hampered by Sebastian Arnolin being Trophy-tied and by an injury to right-back Richard Sutton, who would normally switch to the left side. Street may have to do the job himself, with Alex Gibson on standby to step in.

At least midfielder Matt Hazley will be in the squad – he was on standby for Northern Ireland's Under-21 game in Israel tomorrow, but was not called up.

And Hughes was delighted with yesterday's quarter-final draw, which made it five out of five at home in the major knockouts this season as far as Rangers were concerned.

"We knew it had to be a Blue Square Premier side, because Tamworth are the only club not from the Premier left in the competition, so we might as well have the best," he added.

"Our performance in losing 4-3 at Aldershot in December might make them a bit wary of us, but we have to get through this replay first."

That may be tough: Rangers have won only twice at The Lamb since the war.

Rangers squad: Alcock, Allen, Sangare, Daniel, Flynn, Street, Draper, Hazley, Grayson, Jarrett, McNiven, Olaoye, Sutton, Ingram, Gibson, Hopkinson.