Wellecomme's injury woe continues
Stafford Rangers face being without top scorer Nick Wellecomme for an extended period of time as the striker still struggles with a back injury.
The 25-year-old has already sat out one game with an ongoing problem but has stepped up his rehabilitation, although the seven-goal forward remains a doubt for Saturday's home game against Blyth Spartans.
Wellecomme is being treated with kid gloves in a bid to get him back to his best, having played through the pain barrier with the injury for months.
Loan strikers Warwick Alexander and Henrik Ojamaa have been drafted into Marston Road to lighten the load and lead the attack in his absence, with Ben Mills also having left for Alfreton.
Assistant manager Darren Read reckons these next couple of weeks are pivotal to get the top scoring hitman ready for the festive period, a crucial run which could make or break Rangers' season.
He said: "Nick at the moment is having treatment four times a week, privately as well as with our club physio. It's an ongoing problem that has come to a head, it was getting to the point where he was taking painkillers to get through games and would be in absolute agony afterwards.
"He could be out for Saturday, he could be out for weeks. We are hoping to get him back and fit again for the Christmas period, but it's one of those injuries that you just can't put a timescale on."
There are also doubts over midfielder Jake Moult, who will be assessed at tonight's training session but is still suffering from a badly bruised foot, suffered colliding with team-mate Jermaine Johnson in last Saturday's defeat at Hinckley.
Any potential absence would leave another big void in the team, and - in Read's opinion - break up one of the best midfield units in the Blue Square North.
The Rangers No 2 said: "If Jake is out for Saturday then it's another hole to fill for us, because him and Tom Thorley have been outstanding in the middle of the park. They have been the driving force of this team, along with Levi Reid and Andre Francis on the wings they have all put in extra shifts.
"There are not many in this league who are better than our central midfielders for application and quality. What they lack in grit they make up for in flair. Both can play in the holding role and both can play in an attacking role, because they are both playmakers."
