The caretaker management duo of Neil Farlie and Derek Richardson were missing six players for the 3-3 draw with Whitton on Saturday and seven for Tuesday's 1-0 loss at Ely.

And with Lowestoft, leaders by seven points at the top of the league, travelling to Haverhill on Saturday, things aren't going to get any easier.

"It could have been 6-1 at half time on Saturday but there were missed opportunities," said Richardson, yesterday morning.

"The two games were missed opportunities, you could be looking at a situation where we are looking at four points instead of one.

"It's a harsh lesson really. We had no end of chances against Whitton in the first half and last night we had opportunities to score as well and hit the post twice."

Craig Cutts (ankle), Marc Abbott (groin), Joe Harvey (hairline fracture), Ryan Holder (unavailable), and Lee Hurkett (knee) will all be unavailable again this weekend while Mark Abbs (ill) is doubtful.

Cutts and Abbott look set to miss the next two weeks while captain Harvey won't play until November and Hurkett is out until at least the new year.

Holder will be missing as he tries to stay injury-free for an RAF medical.

But Rovers will welcome back Stuart Kingham from the one-match suspension he served on Tuesday.

But although results went against Rovers this week, Richardson was pleased with his young charges who put everything into the two matches.

He said: "The boys over the last few weeks have performed admirably."

Former Haverhill striker Martin Westcott could be on Farlie and Richardson's radar with the forward seemingly not currently part of manager Dennis Lightning's plans at Ely.

Westcott, 30, who bagged 17 goals in 51 games while at Hamlet Croft from January 2007 to the end of last season, was an unused sub when the two sides met on Tuesday.

"We've mentioned several players but right now we are not the most attractive side to come to," said Richardson.