Northwich's need for a loan player has been increased following a string of injuries to strikers and midfielders, the most recent being Chris Duffy.

Duffy has joined Ian Cooke and Neil Illman on the long term casualty list, whilst Val Owen and Steve Walters are still to return to full fitness after troubling injuries.

But the Vics boss is refusing to sign a player lacking the quality or experience he desires.

He explained: "The problem is that, so early in the season, the only players available are young and inexperienced and I don't want that. We almost completed the signing of a striker last week but it fell through."

He added: "We do have some injury problems but that is what football is about some times. I think we have still got a good enough squad to get the results, as we showed on Saturday. The only difference between that game and the two before was that we got a fair rub of the green at Yeovil."

THERE is growing concern within the club that a small contingent of Vics' fans are aiming unnecessary criticism at some of the Northwich players.

Martin Filson, the subject of abuse from a pocket of Green fans during the Kingstonian game, played for Droylesden on Saturday.

He is believed to be disenchanted with a small section of the fans.

An insider at the club has also revealed that some of the Northwich squad members are on the verge of leaving due to constant criticism.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.