Rangers trio could be out for season

Stafford Rangers could be without three players for the rest of the season as they face an anxious wait on utility man Dan Skelton.

Skelton suffered a nasty-looking hamstring injury in last weekend's win over Bradford Park Avenue, the extent of which has yet to be determined.

The club's medical staff must wait for the problem to die down before they can determine the length of his absence, as the 'No 11' curse strikes again.

The previous incumbent of the shirt, Jon Sheldon, went off with a knee injury against Ashton last month and may not play again this season.

Left-back Jon Patrick is another struggling to be fit before the end of the campaign and manager Greg Clowes today admitted "it doesn't look good."

Clowes said: "Hamstring injuries are a difficult thing, Dan could be out for four to six weeks, depending on the severity of it.

"I wouldn't like to write him off and he will have a week now where it will settle down, but it doesn't look good.

"Jon Sheldon and Jon Patrick both have long-term knee injuries and I don't see either of them training before April.

"Then they have got to get fit, so it's fair to say they are going to miss most of the season and it's a shame."

Skelton is the third Rangers No 11 to end up crocked in succession, all in game situations, after Fabrice Kasiama.

Kasiama suffered an ankle injury just 19 minutes into his second Rangers debut at Rushall Olympic last December.

The DR Congo wide man is back training again but Clowes has yet to be convinced he's ready to return to action.

He said: "Whoever seems to have worn the No 11 shirt this year seems to have ended up injured!

"I have asked Fabrice after every training session how he is and, if I hear any doubt in his voice, I don't consider him.

"He's got to be saying 'gaffer, I am ready, I want to be a part of your plans and I want to play.'

"He's coming to training so, obviously, he wants to be here."

The Rangers boss has also ruled out new signing Matthew Jukes for another week with a hamstring injury.

The 6ft 3in striker has yet to make his debut but could be back for next Saturday's trip to North Ferriby United.

Clowes said: "Matthew got injured playing for Tividale, so he's been with us for treatment and to do his stretching and so on.

"We just feel that, if he comes back a little bit too early, he could play one game and miss the rest of the season.

"We want him for those last seven games, to lose him quickly wouldn't serve any purpose. We are being cautious with him."