HAVERHILL Rovers have been hit by a number of crippling injury blows as they prepare to play five games in the final ten days of the season, starting tonight at home to Needham Market.
Joe Harvey, Neil Hammond, Richard Heller and Gareth Thomas have all joined an extensive injury list which has crippled the Reds’ season.
But manager Peter Betts is still aiming for survival and he believes his charges must win four of their final
five games to secure safety.
“It’s going to be hard so we will take each game as it comes,” said Betts. “We know what we need to do.
“Three wins gives us a chance if Harwich lose their last game and four wins keeps us up out of the bottom two, so that’s obviously what we need to try and do.”
Haverhill again showed how far they have come this season by giving third-placed Wroxham a real test before defensive lapses saw them lose 3-1 on Saturday and Betts cannot wait for a chance to regroup, get fit and prepare for 2009/2010.
He said: “In a way I can’t wait for the season to end, give the players a break and get them fit pre-season.”
Harvey (bruised shin) will miss the rest of the season, while Hammond (groin), Heller (groin) and Thomas are all doubtful, joining the Abbott brothers, Neil Cogger, Craig Cutts, Dan Marshall and James Walker on the treatment table.
Skipper Marcus Hunt will miss tonight’s clash with Needham and goalkeeper Ed Campbell will be absent from Tuesday’s trip to Wivenhoe Town, both because of work commitments.
