Terras hit hard
By Adam Summers

Friday 5th January 2007

WEYMOUTH are facing an injury crisis ahead of tomorrow's massive Nationwide Conference National clash against Burton Albion (3pm).

Ashley Vickers (hamstring) will definitely miss the game and there are fears that Roy O'Brien (head) and Simon Downer could also be sidelined.

With skipper Ben Smith suspended and a flu bug likely to cause more casualties the Terras did at one stage enquire with Conference officials about the possibility of calling the game off.

Vickers and O'Brien both suffered their injuries in the 3-2 loss at Forest Green Rovers on New Year's Day. The latter was rushed to hospital during the encounter at New Lawn after suffering concussion from an elbow to the head.

Terras' boss Garry Hill said: "We still don't know the full extent of Ashley's injury but he won't be fit for the weekend. Simon Downer is also unlikely to be fit and we will just have to see how Roy O'Brien goes." Downer has not featured for the Terras since the 2-1 FA Trophy loss against Grays Athletic on December 16. When asked about the former Leyton Orient player's problem, Hill said: "We are still trying to find out the full extent of the injury."

He then added: `At the moment we have got a few injuries and there is a bit of a bug going around but we have to get on with it.

"I am obviously happy with where we have got to so far but we have got to make every effort to try and hang in that leading group. The league is still very light and it is up to the whole club to keep things going. We have got to have that belief that we can stay up there."

Burton also have injury problems of their own. Darren Tinson (hamstring), Aaron Webster (knee), Andy Ducros (knee), Daryl Clare (hand), and long-term absentees Chris Hall and Steve Scoffham are all expected to miss the trip.

Gary Rowett has a sore knee and is a doubt but skipper Darren Stride should return after recovering from flu.

Albion boss Nigel Clough may also include striker Lloyd Opara in his squad. The Peterborough United man signed on loan for the Brewers yesterday. Clough said: "Tomorrow's match is going to be one of our toughest games of the season. We're going to be missing a few players and we expect Weymouth to come out of the blocks flying after losing two games on the spin.

"Everyone up there (in the top five) is going to have a little wobble at some point but I certainly expect Weymouth to be there or thereabouts come the end of the season. I know it's their first year back at this level, but they've got a squad that reads a bit like a Conference who's who.

"They've also got a manager who knows the Conference inside out. Garry (Hill) will probably go
out and strengthen again during the transfer window, although I'm not sure he needs to.

"It's still too early in the season to be talking about six-pointers but by the same token it's a game we don't want to lose."

Weymouth Reserves will travel to Exeter City Reserves in the Pontin's Holidays Combination Wales & West Division on Tuesday. Kick-off 7pm.