Truro City player-manager Lee Hodges is doing his utmost to get the maximum from his small Blue Square Bet South squad as they prepare for two away matches in four days.
The 39-year-old player-manager believes in putting himself in the frame as the City squad is beset by injuries as they prepare to travel east to play 16th-placed Eastbourne Borough today and fourth-placed Eastleigh next Tuesday.
Hodges said: "Again, we are looking at a squad of 13 and I am hoping everyone comes through the match OK because then we have little time before we are back on the road again on Tuesday.
"With only 13 players – and I have to include myself – there is always the concern that we will pick up more injuries, and that's the last thing we want at the moment because we are already down to bare bones really."
On Tuesday night Hodges – who has just overcome a hamstring injury – played 90 minutes for Truro City reserves in a bid to maintain match fitness. The former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United defender said: "It's a case of playing when I can to stay fit and keep ticking over. I played in central midfield against St Dennis."
City reserves lost 5-2 but fit-again Hodges got in the necessary warm-up ahead of today's game.
Hodges admitted: "To be fair St Dennis were good; it felt like I was playing against Barcelona, but the main thing was getting the run-out in and 90 minutes under my belt."
Hodges puts himself on standby as play anywhere striker Stewart Yetton is recovering from a minor knee operation while fit-again forward Martin Watts – who also played for the reserves – has still to play 90 minutes.
Hodges said: "Martin played again, got an hour in and wants to be back in the first team frame, which is great.
"The aim is for him to get fit in the reserves and come to us fully match-fit. We don't want anyone coming into the team to lose them again. It really is a case of being as careful as we can when we can."
With Yetton sidelined, Andy Watkins will partner young Kieffer Moore in attack.
Former Plymouth Argyle keeper Luke McCormick remains in goal as cover for injured Tim Sandercombe as he recovers from a knee injury.
Exeter-based former Truro City right back Dan Green is set for a long spell out after injuring his knee during new club Dorchester's 4-0 Tuesday night defeat at Havant.
Truro City (from): McCormick; Hall, Ash, Hodges, Williams, Broad, Martin, Cook, Afful, Watkins, Moore, Hopkinson, Carne.
