MARK Harper this week came close to recalling Dean Inman (pictured) from Farnborough to help with Hampton & Richmond Borough's defensive injury nightmare.
Billy Jeffries is out for three months, while Darren Powell, Mo Kamara, Max Hustwick, Alan Bray and Neil Jenkins have all been suffering from various knocks and strains.
All of which led to Beavers boss Harper pondering a phone call to Farnborough, where Inman has been on loan after failing to force his way back into the Hampton side.
Harper said: “I almost called Deano back, and it was a really hard decision not to, but he would have been cup-tied for the FA Trophy this Saturday anyway.
“Hopefully a few of the lads will recover from their knocks once we look at them in training, but it's not a situation I thought I'd fine myself in at the start of the season when we had six fir centre-backs.”
Harper could also find himself shot in the middle in the coming weeks, with Tom Hickey and Gary Holloway both having suspensions looming, and the Boro boss played six fringe first-teamers in a reserve game this week to make sure they are fit and ready if needed.
Having won 2-1 at East Thurrock United on Saturday and lost by the same score at Concorde Rangers on Tuesday night, the Beavers face another long trip tomorrow when they travel to Leiston in the Trophy.
And Harper was quick to remind his players that, with the side out of the FA Cup, a Trophy run may be needed to financially sustain the squad he has put together.
He added: “We are still top of the Ryman Premier, so the league remains our focus, but we can't take our eyes off the Trophy either, especially with £4k up for grabs for getting to the next round.
“We've only had one home game out of the last six, and there is another run of away games coming up, so without the cash coming through the turnstiles you wonder where the cash is coming from sometimes.
“But the club have been brilliant in backing me, getting donations and sponsors to keep the squad together, and you always want to give a little bit back.”
