JAN Molby will be forced to make a change as rampant Kidderminster Harriers seek their first Third Division double of the campaign at Torquay on Saturday.
Giant defender Abdou Sall, who has played a significant role in the club's charge towards the play-off zone, was an early casualty in the impressive 3-0 home victory over third-placed Hull City on Saturday and his groin strain is likely to keep him sidelined for three weeks.
This means Lee Ayres and Mark Shail are in contention for a recall. Ayres is still making his way back to full fitness after recovering from a broken foot, and so Molby's vote is more likely to go to Shail, who has not started a league game since September.
Molby, who was at Torquay to see them lose 1-0 to Cheltenham on New Year's Day, said of Sall's injury: "It's a bad one. There's no doubt about that.
"A good indication would be three weeks which is unfortunate because he has been a massive part of our revival.
"But it gives someone else a chance at a time when it's not a bad team to come in and play with."
The Harriers manager was purring over his side's six-point Christmas haul against promotion candidates Rochdale and Hull.
He said: "The last two performances have said it all. They have been absolutely fantastic.
"To win 3-0 against Hull is an excellent result and at the moment we are delighted with the way things are going. The energy the players showed was outstanding.
"All in all it wouldn't be far off the best performance probably in the two-and-a-half years I've been here."
Harriers have now picked up 18 points from the last 21 and Molby sent a chill through the Third Division's chasing pack when he forecast: "I still think there's more to come from this squad of players, so I'd suggest exciting times are ahead."
Struggling Torquay, who were aggrieved when a stoppage time Tony Bird penalty sent them away with a 1-0 defeat from Aggborough, on the opening day, badly need points.
They have not won in 10 league and cup games and have slipped from 12th to 21st in the table after collecting just three points from the last 27.
Harriers will be looking to make it six home Third Division wins in a row when they meet second-placed Luton Town at Aggborough in a re-arranged fixture on Tuesday night, kick-off 7.45pm.
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