MALVERN Town manager Chris Palmer faces an injury crisis ahead of their Aspire Midland Alliance match at home to Tipton Town on Saturday (3pm) with six regulars missing.

The frustrated Langland Stadium boss will be without centre-half Craig Brown (groin), on-loan defender Ben Pattison (leg), fellow defender Kyle Knott (knee ligament) and striker Alex Taffe (broken hand).

Front-man Andrew Crosskey is unavailable but defender Paul Ireland (ankle) hopes to be fit in time.

Youth team striker Mason Mansfield may be on the Town bench, despite being called up to play for Worcestershire FA Under 18s in a friendly on Saturday morning.

Palmer hoped his patched-up side got through last night’s Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup tie with Pershore Town.

Malvern made it two successive league defeats last Saturday when they lost 2-1 at Kirby Muxloe.

Palmer said: “It’s an absolute nightmare. We have a squad of about 20 players who are reliable now.

“We’re just fighting the injuries at the moment and need to field the same 11 for more than one match.

“We seem to be taking one step forward and two steps back.”