New Year’s Day injury hangover

The 2-1 defeat at Ilkeston on Tuesday left Worksop Town boss Simon Clark counting the cost, as five players hobbled off in varying degrees of discomfort at full-time.

He said: “Craig King has got a swollen ankle, could be out for two weeks.”

“Ash Burbeary has pulled up with a tight hamstring, Luke Shiels has a bit of a dead leg, Paul Bastock has got a kick on his ankle and Lee Beeson has taken a knock as well.

Striker Leon Mettam missed the game after suffering pain in both quad muscles after Saturday’s victory over Matlock Town, but Clark hopes he and Nathan Modest will be fit to play on Saturday as Tigers travel to Stafford Rangers.

The Rangers game is one of four January fixtures against sides hopeful of play-off involvement, and Clark concedes it’s a difficult month.

“We drew a line under the defeat at Ilkeston in the dressing room, I couldn’t fault their effort although it was disappointing,” he said.

“We’ve got a points target for the next five games and we need to get through January but it will be tough, we’re playing teams bang in form.”]

l On Monday Clark added to his squad with the purchase of left-sided player Lee Potts.

Tigers bought him for an undisclosed fee from Grantham Town, and the 23-year-old made his debut at Ilkeston on the wing.