AT least seven players will be missing as Stourport Swifts tackle Dr Martens Western Division leaders Bromsgrove on Saturday.

The crisis is likely to force boss Dave Titterton into making his first start for about eight months in front of a bumper crowd at Walshes Meadow.

But Titterton is hoping lowly Swifts can pull a result out of the bag as the odds are stacked against them.

He declared: "We need to get something out of the game but it will be a hard task. You cannot afford to have seven players missing with the size of our squad.

"But sometimes when the chips are down, you produce a performance when you least expect it."

Striker Michael Moore (groin) and Simon Marsh (foot) are injured, while Kerry Giddings, Steve Ulfig and Leon Blake all face suspensions after Saturday's postponement at Bedworth.

Defender Nigel Laker is away on holiday as is Tim Nicholls who has proved a consistent performer in the Swifts midfield.

On the plus side, striker Richard Ball, a signing from Racing Club Warwick, is set to make his debut.

Parfait Medou-Otye has signed for Bromsgrove but Swifts do not expect him to play, due to injury.

And Titterton hopes for several other new faces, including a possible loan deal for former skipper Asa Charlton from Worcester.

But a move for Oldbury defender Phil Male has collapsed owing to the player's work commitments.

Titterton, preparing to make his first start since playing for Ludlow last season, said: "After all the running around to try to get him signed, he has changed his mind all of a sudden.

"I'm disappointed, especially as he contacted us in the first place. I could have been trying to attract people who are serious about coming here."