DUDLEY Kingswinford will be without star centre Stef Shillingford when they face Moseley Oak this Saturday.

DK host Moseley at Heathbrook (2.15pm kick-off) looking for their sixth successive league victory to keep the heat on Midland One West pacesetters Burton and Bromsgrove.

However, director of rugby Neil Shillingford will be forced into a reshuffle after son Stefan picked up a knee injury during last Thursday's derby defeat against Old Halesonians in the North Mids Plate.

They suffered a 31-24 home loss against a Hales side struggling at the bottom of the league above.

DK found themselves 26 - 5 behind at the break but couldn't do enough to progress to the semi-final despite a spirited second half fight back under the Heathbrook lights.

The defeat was made worse by the loss of key man Shillingford after a late Hales hit.

Director of Rugby Neil Shillingford said: "I think a few of our players fell into the occasion a little bit. It was a big game under the lights and we didn't quite manage it properly.

"But, overall, the one overriding feeling afterwards was of anger because the referee let so many late hits go.

"We stood up to it well and got back in it but then lost Stefan to another late hit. He's over extended his knee and will miss the Moseley game but will hopefully be back after that.

"It would have been nice to win the derby game but we'll move on quickly. Losing Stefan is a big blow for us but we have good depth to the squad and we'll try and get the balance right again this weekend."