MANAGER Les Jones believes Malvern Town have the quality to maintain their West Midlands Football League Premier Division top-six position despite an impending lay-off for Bryan Craven.

The striker, who has scored 10 goals this season, will undergo a knee operation to cure a long-standing complaint following tomorrow’s match at Wolverhampton Casuals (3pm).

Craven is expected to be out for several months, missing a large chunk of Town’s league campaign.

While admitting he will leave large boots to fill, Malvern boss Jones reckons the team will be able to cope.

Town want to finish in the top six so they can qualify automatically for the FA Cup next season.

Jones said: “Bryan was having a terrific season so he will be a huge loss.

“But we have got a quality squad and are confident we can carry on and achieve our target of getting into the FA Cup next year.

“I am pleased with the overall performance of the players.

“We just need to put a run of wins together and start turning these close games into victories.”

Malvern, whose match against Ellesmere Rangers at the HDanywhere Stadium was postponed last Saturday due to a waterlogged pitch, have not won for three games.

They drew 1-1 at Bilston Town Community last time out as well as losing 3-2 at Pegasus Juniors and 1-0 at leaders Bridgnorth.

Jones said: “We played Bridgnorth, who were top of the league, and lost in the last minute at Pegasus in a controversial match.

“Against Bilston we just couldn’t get the second goal. We dominated against them and could have been 4-1 up at half-time but came in 1-1.

“We just couldn’t turn our superiority into the win.

“Our form is good but it’s frustrating we are not getting the results our performances deserve, but we are looking to put that right tomorrow.”

Malvern have played 21 games this season, more than any other team in the division, so will also be wary of sides having matches in hand.

Defender Joe Endacott and midfielder Joe Leighton both miss the Wolverhampton trip through work commitments.

Leaders Bromyard visit second-placed Ludlow in Division One tomorrow (3pm).

In Division Two, fourth-placed Malvern Town under-21s host lowly Wyrley Reserves (3pm) and Powick Rangers visit leaders Oakengates Athletic (2pm).