ROB Small insists Bowers & Pitsea cannot use their extensive injury list as an excuse when they go to Haringey Borough with a depleted squad tomorrow.

Six players have been ruled out of the Isthmian Premier League contest, while the club's all-time top goalscorer Lewis Manor is a doubt.

But Small is confident that those available are capable of registering a positive result.

"Kenzer Lee, Tom Hine, Ben Sartain, Max Cornhill, Ade Osifuwa and Quentin Monville are all injured, while Lewis Manor is a doubt," said the Bowers boss.

"They are key players for us and it is a blow to be without them.

"This is a testing period for us because of the number of players unavailable, but we have no option other than to get on with it.

"We can't use the injuries as an excuse and it has given some youngsters the chance to make the step up.

"I'm confident in every player at this club and that is no different when we go to Haringey."

Haringey are currently one place better off than Bowers, who sit 15th as they continue to enjoy their first ever campaign in the third tier of non-league football.

And Small is relishing another tough battle at Coles Park.

"We have had some big games against Haringey over the years," added Small.

"They won the Essex Senior League title in my first season in charge, whereas we came second.

"Haringey beat us to an Isthmian North play-off place in 2017 and then we were both in the play-offs when they went up 12 months later.

"It's as though we have always been chasing them and we have a good relationship with the club."