SWINDON Supermarine boss Dave Webb concedes that his side’s current injury crisis is the worst he’s had to contend with in his managerial career.

Marine got back to winning ways with a fine 2-0 victory at league rivals AFC Totton in the FA Cup first qualifying round last weekend but their efforts to climb back up the Southern League Division One South & West table are currently being hampered by a mammoth injury list, with as many as eight players likely to miss Saturday’s trip to Mangotsfield United.

Luke Hopper and Bradley Gray, who have groin and shin complaints, are ruled out, whilst Joe Shepherd and Eddie Stevens are still at least a week away from returning to action.

Harry Etheridge, Kyle Lapham and Dave Bampton, who was forced off just 30 minutes into his return to the side during Saturday’s win at Totton, are all major doubts, with Sam Brown also confined to the Marine treatment table.

“It’s a bit of an injury crisis for us at the moment. We seem to get one back from injury and then losing two and it’s not making things easy,” said Webb.

“In all my time in football, I can’t remember an injury situation like this but it’s why we have a squad and some of the other players have got to look at it as a bit of an opportunity for them.

“Saturday is going to be a tough game because Mangotsfield were one of the sides that were in the play-off places for most of last season before having a few below-par results and dropping out of it. They’ve kept largely the same side from last season.

“We need to do better in the league. Our league form hasn’t been good enough.

“We were superb at Totton last weekend and deserved to win so if we can go to Mangotsfield with the same determination and effort, then we’ve got every chance of coming away with a result.”

Webb also revealed that he is hoping to bolster his attacking options with the signing of a striker.

The Webb’s Wood boss already brought Luke Abrahart back to the club from Didcot Town earlier this month.

Webb said: “I’m trying to bring in a striker. He’s a young player and hopefully we can get him in.

“I think that we could do with another option. We’ve got Luke (Hopper), Luke Abrahart and Ryan Stanners but Ryan can also play in a number of different positions.”