EVESHAM United manager Dave Busst has suffered a double blow of ahead of tomorrow's Southern League Division One West derby clash with Stourport Swifts.

The Robins enter the Common Road fixture aiming to maintain their promotion chances but are without captain Lee Knight and leading goalscorer Richard Ball.

Defender Knight has been ordered by doctors not to play for the rest of the year after suffering a blackout, while Ball is suspended for two games after collecting five bookings.

Busst said: "Lee had a blackout, which is obviously very serious, and a neurologist told him that he cannot drive for the next 12 months and advised him not to play football for the rest of the year. It's a big loss for us but what comes first is Lee's health.

"We are going to be without Bally for two matches. That's going to be a big loss because he's our top goalscorer and we need our best players."

Busst has drafted in former Birmingham City and Coventry City striker John Gayle to replace Ball against Swifts, although the 39-year-old is unlikely to play at Corby Town next Monday.

Third-placed Robins can give their charge for a top-two spot an almighty lift if they scoop six points over the Easter period.

Busst said: "Bromsgrove and ourselves are having to play catch up with Mangotsfield and Yate, but one of the top-two are going to drop points because they play each other.

"Our games with Stourport always create a bit of interest and they are still looking to make the play-offs. It will be a tough game."

Stourport's five-game unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday when they crashed 2-0 at home to Swindon Supermarine.

Boss Dave Titterton insists his side's play-offs hopes will disappear if they lose to their Worcestershire rivals.

Mid-table Swifts were beaten 2-0 by United at Walshes Meadow on December 27 and Titterton is determined to gain revenge.

He said: "Evesham were the better team on the day when we played them here earlier in the season. They deserved to win and they created the better chances.

"They are a strong, physical team. If you let them intimidate you, then they will intimidate you, because they have got the players to do that.

"But if you can match them stride for stride on that side of the game, then I don't think they are that great.

"We are in last chance saloon this week. If we don't pick anything up at Evesham, then there is no chance of making the play-offs.

"The chance is only slim at the moment, but it is still there. It's a local derby, so we'll go there and try to spoil the party."