A COMBINATION of hard work and a licence to attack has transformed Chris Taylor into the first name on Supermarine's team sheet this season.

But Mark Collier's side may have to do without the influential midfielder as they travel to Bromsgrove Rovers tomorrow in the BGB Premier Division.

Taylor, pictured, has been at the forefront of everything good about Marine this season, but he is struggling to recover from a knee complaint and is a major doubt for their trip to the Midlands.

And as Supermarine look to extend their unbeaten run to a season's best of five games, Collier knows the probable absence of the 22-year-old will leave a big gap to fill in the centre of the park.

"Chris is very inventive and is one of the best, if not the best, technical player at the club," revealed Collier. "The last eight or nine weeks he has been outstanding - he's a clever player who can unlock teams. We look to get him on the ball and in good areas.

"If he's missing it will be a big loss, but we've got a good squad here and whoever takes his place will be more than capable of doing a job."

Taylor made four substitute appearances for Swindon Town during a four- year spell at the County Ground.

He was released by Dennis Wise in June 2006, and despite signing on at Hunts Copse straight away the midfield maestro took a while to settle into non-league football.

However Collier believes Taylor now has the work ethic to match his undoubted technical ability.

"What Chris has done over the last few months is to work harder than when he was first here," he said.

"We've played him in a number of different positions, so we sat him down and asked him where he thought he is best.

"He told us he prefers playing centrally, so we asked him to up his workrate in that role and he had come out of it with flying colours.

"It's fair to say he's now one of the first names on the team sheet, and if he's not fit for selection we will miss him."

Danny Allen is expected to recover from a hamstring strain, while Mark Draycott returns to the Marine squad after serving a one-game ban.

And Collier is expecting a tough ride against a side just two points below them in the table and with an illustrious history in the non-league game.

He said: "They had a good win last weekend as they beat Clevedon Town 1-0.

"We know what a good side Clevedon are, so it shows what Bromsgrove are capable of.

"They've signed a couple of players this week and are a big club.

"Only seven years ago they were in the Conference - they still get good crowds and have got a big catchment area.

"But we beat them 4-0 earlier in the season and there's nothing for us to fear."