ROD Brown is set to enlist the help of neighbours Kidderminster Harriers to ease Stourport Swifts' player shortage.

Long-term suspensions to defenders Quentin Townsend, Steve Ulfig and Anthony Davies are starting to give Swifts boss Brown real problems.

To make matters worse, experienced right-back Ross Knight has gone on holiday and midfielder Simon Marsh is following him after Saturday's visit of Atherstone United.

Despite the problems, Swifts could afford to miss a string of chances as a 1-0 win over Lincoln United booked them a home draw with Solihull Borough in the FA Cup second qualifying round and £7,500.

But Brown is busy getting cover for his squad and hopes for the temporary signings of several Harriers squad players to help out.

The manager - delighted with Swifts' superb start to their first season in the Dr Martens Western Division - expects injured duo, Tim Langford and Brendan Hackett, to be fit for Saturday's game at Walshes Meadow.

Brown, who has let his players off training tonight due to the number of games played recently, admitted: "If we take another injury between Saturday and Tuesday's game at Halesowen Town, we will be struggling big style.

"There are a few players in the reserves at Harriers at the moment who could do a job for me and I hope to get their signatures.

"Losing Marsh will be the biggest blow of all. Our three midfielders have been playing superbly and Simon's one of those.

"He's got such a good engine and he's been playing really well.

"We will probably be looking to bring in Matt Southwick in his place and he will have to get himself to those standards."

Swifts defeated Atherstone in the FA Cup last year but the Warwickshire side have improved since then.

Brown added: "They are a good, well-organised side but we have battled hard so far and are not an easy team to beat.

"My objective over the next two games is to take three points out of the six but I won't be disappointed with two draws.

"The only thing against me is the availability of players but I'm not making excuses.

"We're not frightened of anyone in the league but there are six or seven teams who it would be a bonus to take any points off. We are looking to win the rest of the games."