IT feels like somewhat of a broken record so far this season to discuss Jersey Bulls’ ever-growing number on the treatment table.
However, between last week’s solid 2-0 home victory against Abbey Rangers and the impending visit to AFC Whyteleafe tomorrow, manager Elliot Powell’s casualty list has risen.
Defenders Jonny Le Quesne, Harry Curtis, Luke Campbell and Jay Giles are all weeks away from fitness, while centre-half Sammy Sutcliffe is unavailable and Jack Lumsden is a fresh concern after picking up a midweek knock for his university side.
Outside of defence, one of the standout newcomers to the fold, James Sunley, is set for a stint on the sidelines, after suffering a fractured metatarsal, while fellow midfielder Jay Dos Santos is also injured.
In a squad that has been stretched at the best of times, Powell has seven notable absentees ahead of tomorrow, to face a side who have won nine of their opening 11 Premier Division South games and occupy second spot in the table.
Jersey meanwhile have negotiated a tricky run of fixtures with a very thin squad, and still remain unbeaten from eight games, with five victories to their name.
Winger Fraser Barlow has been asked to cover at left-back, while midfielder Joe Kilshaw performed admirably at right-back last time out.
Powell said: “We know we are going to have to suffer at times through the 90 minutes.
“If you look at their [Whyteleafe] results, you can tell they are a strong side and will be up there throughout the season.
“They have scored a heap of goals, but, on the flip side, they are vulnerable to conceding also.
“We certainly won’t be complacent, as we know the threat they can pose.
“But equally, we have a lot of confidence going forward and, despite our injury concerns, we remain a potent attacking force and have the personnel to ask them lots of questions.
“So there is potential for it to become a bit of a ‘basketball match’ and a high-scoring contest, but if we come out on the right side of that, we are not concerned about conceding a couple.”
At the outset of the campaign, Powell had a clear understanding of the challenges that a gruelling season in Premier Division South would pose.
Squad depth was always going to prove vital for a successful season, although not even he could envisage how early he would have to dip into his reserves and rely on players out of position.
However, far from begrudging the circumstances, Powell remained upbeat about his charges.
“Look, I think it’s easy to use injuries as a bit of an excuse or a cop-out at times,” he added.
“But I really don’t view it that way.
“It has given different players opportunities and allowed people to rise to the occasion in positions that are perhaps not familiar to them.
“Every week we have had lads step up and embrace that. You won’t hear moaning from our camp about these issues being unfair or harsh. We will use it as motivation and that will be the mindset for tomorrow.
“We have to take great comfort in the results we have managed with players still missing.
“Every team will be tested at some point during the season and, if we have ours now and can enjoy having a full squad around crunch time, that’s fine by me.”
Action from Whyteleafe Stadium is set to get underway at 3pm tomorrow.
Jersey Bulls squad: Euan Van Der Vliet, Connor Lloyd, Fraser Barlow, Jack Boyle, Jack Lumsden, James Querée (c), Joe Kilshaw, Karl Hinds, Kieran Lester, Lorne Bickley, Luke Watson, Miguel Carvalho, Rai Dos Santos, Toby Ritzema, Will Byers
