STOURBRIDGE boss Gary Hackett could bring fresh faces to the War Memorial Ground to help his side deal with an early-season injury crisis.

The Glassboys have lost their first two games this term and are having to contend with having a host of key men on the treatment table.

Stour suffered an opening-day defeat at Warrington Town last Saturday before a late strike left them empty handed from their home clash with Hednesford Town on Monday night.

Hackett’s options have been limited with injuries to Junior Smikle, Stuart Pierpoint, Matt Dodd, Justin Richards and Aaron Daniels.

The Amblecote boss has bolstered his ranks with the signing of midfielder Jon Adams and wide man Liam Molesworth but others could also arrive.

He said: “We are missing a lot of key players at the moment. We’ve had players coming back from injury that probably wouldn’t have been risked, but we haven’t had much choice about it.

“I think the previous pre-season we didn’t have any injuries at all. It’s not that we have pushed them too hard or ran them up the hills this time around, it’s just one of those things.

“We’ve picked up little injuries and even people who never pick up problems have this time around. Like Junior (Smikle), he has suddenly got a thigh strain.”

One area that could be strengthened is Stour’s attack. Brandon Hague was on the bench against Hednesford as back-up to striker Luke Benbow.

“It is an area we need to look at,” admitted Hackett. “It is a tough ask for Brandon to be back up and for him to have to make a big impact.

“He is a very exciting prospect but you don’t want to put too much on young players.

“You can add Matt Dodd to the list of attacking options that are injured at the moment. He has been fantastic for us and we miss him enormously.”

Against Hednesford, Kayelden Brown’s strike wasn’t enough for them to take something from the game. Tristian Dunkley levelled before half time before George Carline volleyed the winning in the 94th minute as the hosts won 2-1.

Hackett added: “It’s disappointing when you get that close and hardly have time to start again.

“We are missing a lot of key players but I thought the attitude and work-rate of the players was outstanding. For their efforts alone they deserved to get a point out of it, but that’s football.

“The lads are devastated. We didn’t play particularly well on Saturday but there were shoots of recovery. I know when I get my fittest 16 we will be a force to be reckoned with.

“When you haven’t got a large squad it can be tough. There was not a lot in the game overall but I think their fitness told out.”

One bright spark to come from Monday night’s defeat was the performance of returning attacker Kayelden Brown.

“He is very adaptable but he’s also a great lad to have around,” added the manager. “He is so infectious and he’s like a new signing, and perhaps we have needed him.”

Saturday’s proposed clash with Ilkeston has been postponed because the Derbyshire club are currently suspended due to breaches of league rules.