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SIDELINED: On-loan Redditch forward Richard Ball will miss the rest of the season.

DUANE Darby has admitted he is becoming increasingly frustrated in his hunt for fire-power, as he aims to bolster his threadbare Rovers squad in time for the visit of Clevedon.

Rovers are desperately light in the forwards department with Richard Ball (cruciate ligaments) sidelined for the rest of the season and Justin Jackson (achilles) enduring a lengthy spell out of action.

Darby has been busy scouring the transfer market but revealed he has suffered a number of knock-backs in his attempt to boost the squad.

The caretaker boss thought he had secured a double swoop last week only for his targets to slip through the net, while Neil Davis' rehabilitation has been delayed because of a lack of starts during his loan spell at Midland Alliance outfit Stratford.

Darby said: "If it doesn't rain it pours at the moment.

"We are down to the bare bones, and desperately struggling forwards-wise.

"We are absolutely working flat out to get forwards in.

"We had two people agree to come on Thursday but they have gone and signed for Conference clubs.

INJURED: Justin Jackson is also a long-term worry.

"When players don't want to come it is a tough situation.

"But we are doing what we can off the field.

"I am waiting for a few managers to get back to me at this moment in time.

"I have not stopped phoning people trying to get players."

However, the Greens have received some good news on the injury front ahead of Saturday's home clash.

Striker Jozsef Jakab looks to have shaken off his illness, while inspirational midfielder Sam Alsop is back after a one-match suspension.

Les Hines could also feature despite withdrawing from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Tiverton after just 13 minutes with a hamstring injury, but Kevin Banner is out for up to three weeks with a bout of tendonitis.

Darby added he will be relieved to welcome back Alsop after a short absence.

"We have missed Sam, he has been the most consistent player since I have been at the club," he said.

"He is tremendous on the ball, and we have lacked his presence going forward the last two weeks.

"I will be relieved to see him back on the teamsheet."

The goalkeeper's jersey is up for grabs with Karl Lewis banned for his red card in the 2-0 defeat to Corby.

But Darby remains undecided on whether youngster Chris Mole or veteran Chris Taylor will get the nod.

9:31am Wednesday 20th February 2008

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