BARROW AFC boss Stephen Clemence is hoping to avoid any more injuries as the games begin to ramp up.

The Bluebirds are without a number of players ahead of today’s home game against Newport County at Holker Street today.

And with that shortly followed by the cup clash away to Chelsea on Tuesday night, Clemence admits any more walking wounded could make life more difficult.

He told The Mail: “We are going to be without Robbie Gotts.

“He has got a muscle injury, and it looks like we are probably going to be without him for about four weeks, which is a bit of a blow.

“Obviously, the Connor Mahoney injury has gone under the radar a little bit, but he’s out for a significant period of time as well and that’s another big blow.

“And Sam Barnes has unfortunately had a little mini set-back as well.

“They are the three injuries we’ve got at the minute, the rest of the lads all look like they are going to be in contention (to face County).”

Clemence should still have plenty of options for today’s clash, but says there are areas where he could really do with having everyone fit.

He added: “Look, even once I’ve picked my substitute’s bench, there’s still going to be five or six players that don’t even make the bench, so yeah I’ve got a lot of numbers.

“But I have to say we are quite short in a couple of areas, where we don’t want to get too many more injuries.

“Hopefully, we get lucky from that point of view, and we don’t anyone else to the list.

“But as I always say to you. If somebody does go down, it’s an opportunity for somebody else.

“There’s a lot of games coming up, and I’d be very surprised if the starting XI today plays the next seven games.

“We are going to have to used the squad, and everybody is going to have to play their part.”