CRADLEY boss Will Pottinger says they are “putting all their efforts” into finding a replacement for injury victim Ryan Burton.

Burton broke his collarbone in five places after a crash whilst guesting for SGB Championship side Scunthorpe on Sunday.

He is now set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines – but Pottinger insists they won’t let his injury hold them back ahead of a crucial run of Travel Plus National League fixtures.

With a trip to Stoke on Sunday (6pm) followed by a home clash with Buxton the following day (7.30) and a local derby with Birmingham 48 hours later, he is determined to resolve the issue sooner rather than later.

Pottinger said: “It’s quite a complicated break from what I’m led to believe from Ryan, so it looks like he’ll be out for quite a few weeks.

“We don’t want to let it derail the clubs’ play-off push, so we’re aiming to get a good replacement in until Ryan is fit enough to get into the team.

“We’re coming upon a very busy month with lots of important league fixtures, so we’re putting all our efforts into finding a replacement for Ryan.

“We could run with unattached three-pointers, but in an ideal world we’d like to get someone in more permanently.

“We’ve got a few riders in mind, and we could potentially have someone in place for Saturday’s trip to Stoke, although a few things need to fall into place before that could happen.

“It’s frustrating because we were happy with how things were going before his injury, we had no changes in mind, but this has forced our hand and we’ll do the best to resolve it until he can return.”