DEFENDER Ross Collins could miss Bromsgrove Rovers' crucial promotion clash at in-form Clevedon Town on Saturday.

The influential defender limped off mid-way through the first half in Saturday's 2-2 draw at Yate.

And it looks as though Collins might not make it for Rovers' tricky game in Somerset.

However, Rovers boss Jimmy Mullen has a back-up plan if Collins fails a fitness test.

The manager will call on defenders Karl Johnson and Phil Male to form the partnership at the heart of Rovers' defence.

Mullen said: "Karl and Phil were very good against Marlow, so if Ross isn't right then we have a very good partnership to call on."

The defensive duo have only ever played together once in central defence, when they both made their debut at Marlow and kept a clean sheet.

However, Saturday's opponents are more of a challenge than struggling Marlow.

Rovers take on a team that has carved out an impressive 12 game unbeaten run in the Southern League Division One West.

In fact the last side to inflict defeat on Clevedon in the league were Rovers, when Leon Mitchell and Collins wiped out Lee Vickerman's early goal.

Mullen though is in positive mood after he watched his side come from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at a tricky Yate side.

He said: "We don't go to any team frightened.

"On our day we can beat the best this division has to offer.

"Clevedon are flying at the moment, but so were Yate and we got a good result down there.

"If we play with the right hunger and attitude then we can win this game, but it's going to be very hard."

Midfielder Nathan Jameson is expected to have recovered from the dizzy spell he suffered at Yate and be included in the squad.

Mitchell is set to sit on the bench as a substitute until he reaches fitness.

He will be kept out of the side by loan signing Carl Tranter, who scored on his debut from Telford AFC against Yate.

Mullen is confident that there is more to come from the hitman.

He said: "Carl is still a bit rusty, but once he gets match sharp he will score lots of goals.

"I had him in the Unibond Division One last season and before the league was changed that was a better standard of football than ours.

"If he can avoid injury he's going to be a excellent player."

Tranter played once before for Rovers, when they were in the Midland Alliance, but broke his leg in a Sunday league game.

* Chairman Tom Herbert is waiting to hear if he is in trouble with the FA after invading the pitch in Saturday's game at Yate.

Herbert walked onto the sidelines to talk with one of the assistant referees in the first half against Yate.

Now he is waiting to see if he has been reported to the league.

An unrepentant Herbert said: "I thought the referee was not protecting our players so I decided to have a word."

The chairman also dismissed any rumours that Barnt Green Spartak would be involved with a ground share with the club next season.

He said: "Barnt Green have asked about a ground share and I am thinking about it.

"But it's highly unlikely as the pitch is already in full use."

By Peter McKinney