St Albans manager hopes injuries won't affect promotion hopes

4:45pm Wednesday 5th November 2008

Steve Castle hopes another injury crisis at Clarence Park will not get in the way of St Albans City’s surge towards the top of the Blue Square South.

The Saints manager guided them to their sixth consecutive league win at the weekend which moved them into the top six. But their 3-2 victory at Bromley proved costly with a number of players picking up injuries.

Simon Martin was stretchered off after a reckless challenge by Fiston Manuella and he is a major doubt for this weekend’s game against Fisher Athletic, while two-goal hero Paul Hakim is also struggling to make the game with a knee problem.

Ben Martin has a back injury, James Fisher has a foot problem, Ryan Frater needs a rest (ankle) and goalkeeper Paul Bastock has a troublesome knee.

Lee Clarke will definitely be missing because the striker faces a knee cartilage operation.

Castle said: “I was absolutely fuming. It was a very reckless challenge [on Martin] and I don’t often lose my cool. It was a coward’s tackle from behind.

“He has ankle and knee problems. It takes the gloss off the run because they are the ones who have got us this far. It is a nice opportunity to push on.

“If we can get 11 players out at the weekend we will have done well,” the manager continued. “The physio has been much busier than me this week. It’s frustrating but hopefully a few of the players will be fit soon.

“I need to make a decision for Ryan because he turned his ankle a couple of weeks ago. He was in an awful lot of pain on Saturday and the supporters did not realise how much it is restricting him. He needs a rest and hopefully he will come back firing on all cylinders sooner rather than later.”

City’s best run of form for six years has earned Castle his second manager of the month award this season. But he insists the plaudits should go to the backroom staff and players for their rapid rise up the table.

Castle said: “I was told on Friday and I was very pleased and proud. But I have to share the praise with everyone at the club.

“Ultimately the players deserve the praise for putting the disappointment against Harlow behind them.

“We have the nucleus of a very good team. When you look at our defenders, attackers and goalkeeper there is a lot of quality. There is no reason why we cannot compete.”

The Saints are set to add one new signing to the injury-hit squad with Bromley left-back Adam Everitt on the brink of joining on a non-contract basis. Castle believes he will offer another dimension and will be a welcome addition.

“He has come into the frame,” Castle said. “We are just waiting for him to be released and then he will be involved against Fisher.

“He offers versatility because he can play in defence and attack. Adam is an aggressive player and good in the air but he can still play as well. He gives us another dimension.”

Fisher are sitting third bottom in the division but Castle knows, after slipping up against Thurrock, they cannot take anything for granted against the strugglers.

He said: “I don’t think they have much money to splash the cash. But it could be one of those games where it could be another Thurrock if we are looking negatively.

“We have to approach it with the right mental attitude and we know that three points will push us towards the place where we want to be.”