Rangers duo still out injured for FA Trophy tie

Stafford Rangers start their FA Trophy campaign without injured duo Luke George and Christian Dacres when they travel to Rugby Town.

Dacres is finally recovering from a knee problem that has made him miss nine games after starting the first two matches, but Saturday's game has come too soon.

George has missed two games after hurting his shin at Worksop and now also is experiencing pain in his knee, which has yet to respond to treatment.

Alex Forde could come into the side with right-back Jimmy Turner facing the axe for his display in the FA Cup defeat at Gresley, which Rangers lost 3-2.

Greg Clowes' men now face another side from the fourth tier of non-league football in their Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central hosts.

The Rangers boss fumed with his side after they let a 2-0 lead slip at Gresley and they have also lost the initiative against Kendal, Hednesford and Grantham.

Rugby are fresh as they haven't played a game in two weeks have drawn three of their five games, so Clowes believes they will be a tough nut to crack.

He said: "Our back four is probably one of the most experienced I have ever put out but, at this point in time, we don't know how to keep sheets.

"We can't be expected to score two goals in every game, every week and I think Rugby will be an even tougher test than we had at Gresley.

"They play 4-4-2 and are very compact, they work hard for each other and have been involved in some very tight games this season, like us.

"Whoever turns up on the day and wants it more will win the game, I think."