Rocks Review: Casualty list keeps on growing

They also face being without Steve Harper for a week or two with a hamstring strain after another disastrous week on the injury front.

Axten fell awkwardly after an aerial challenge in the FA Trophy win over Ilford on Sturday and has damaged knee ligaments. It won’t need surgery but manager Jamie Howell said the central defender was likely to be out for at least six weeks.

The good news at the back is that Ben Andrews - who replaced Axten against Ilford - came through his comeback following a thigh injury without too many problems.

He is still having treatment but the Rocks hope he can help them cover Axten’s absence.

Dodd fractured a metatarsal in an innocuous challenge during the Trophy game. Howell said he was looking at around a month out.

His injury, and Harper’s hamstring strain, which thankfully wasn’t a tear, leaves Mu Maan as the only recognised fit striker at Nyewood Lane, with Ashley Robinson still a couple of weeks from fitness after knee surgery.

They’ve also lost young striker Omar Folkes, who has surprised the Rocks by moving to Conference North outfit Histon.

The Rocks have also lost winger Ben Johnson to a season-ending cruciate ligament injury.

Get the very latest on the Rocks’ walking wounded, all the action from the FA Trophy win and a look ahead to a run of Ryman premier games coming up - all in the new-look Observer this Thursday.

STEVE BONE