TOWN boss Mark Cooper is down to the bare bones of his squad for Saturday’s visit of Coventry.

The League Cup defeat to Brighton on Tuesday was costly, with no less than four players ending the game injured. Ben Gladwin sustained torn ankle ligaments, Michael Smith damaged his shoulder, as did George Barker and Andy Williams has pulled a muscle in his back.

Cooper refused to be down beaten by the injury crisis though and said he saw little point in moaning about it.

Assessing the situation on his treatment table he said: “Ben (Gladwin) is going to be six to eight weeks minimum. Michael Smith and George Barker are being scanned today at lunchtime, because of the swelling they’ve had to wait to today.

“Michael Smith is the least likely to be fit, he’s got what looks like a real bad shoulder injury. George is a little bit easier but he’ll do well to play as well. Andy Williams has got a pulled muscle in his back so all of them are real big doubts for Saturday.

“I don’t want to get too down about the injuries because that’s part of football. Even if we don’t sign anybody it will give some of the young boys an opportunity to play in the first team which is fantastic.

“It’s what happens on the pitch, it doesn’t matter how many injuries you’ve got. If your players are up for it and there’s are not quite right it becomes an even game.”