REDDITCH skipper Jason Spyer could be forced to play through the pain of a broken hand after a spate of withdrawals for the top-of-the-table clash against visiting league leaders Stone on Saturday (1.30pm start).

The Bromsgrove Road side could be hit by the loss of six regulars after the 1-0 weekend win over HA Cup conquerors Market Drayton shot them into the top three.

Youngsters Chris Thomas (left midfield), Adrian Dudley (left half) and Anthony Brookes (right midfield) have a school field trip and right winger Phil Thomas, ruled out by work commitments for the weekend win, is rollerblading.

Right half Steven Cook is on holiday and striker Mat Davies has been ruled out until Christmas by work commitments.

The dire situation could mean the captain, who is nursing a broken index finger and hand, has to rush back a week early.

I'm due to visit the hospital on Monday and shouldn't play before then but I might not have any choice, said the beleaguered skipper.

I can bend the hand alright but the vibration of the stick when I play the ball is very painful.

Left half Ian Wilmot is set for a recall and striker Matt Turner, and midfielders Rob Laighton and Tim Gibbs could be called up from the second team.

Spyer is set to call on thirds defender Mo Shah but he could be ruled out through work commitments.

With a number of younger second and third teamers affected by field trips the club's third team fixture at home to Stone could be jeopardy.

Sweeper Grenville Rose, keeper Alistair Shute, midfielder Alex Robinson, striker Mat Davies and player-manager Rob Allen returned for the 1-0 defeat of Market Drayton after being rested for the 5-0 HA Cup reverse at the hands of the same opponents six days earlier.