MALVERN Town manager Chris Palmer faces an injury crisis ahead of his side’s home Aspire Midland Alliance tie with Tipton Town tomorrow (ko 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).

Frontman Andrew Crosskey is unavailable but defender Paul Ireland hopes to be fit in time for the Tipton clash after picking up an ankle knock.

Youth team striker Mason Mansfield may also be on the Town bench in time for the 3pm kick-off after being called up to play for the Worcestershire county side when they play in a friendly tomorrow morning.

Palmer also hopes his patched-up side had got through last night’s Worcester Royal Infirmary Cup tie with Pershore Town ahead of tomorrow’s league fixture.

Malvern made it two successive league defeat on Saturday when they crashed to a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Kirby Muxloe. Craig Carter fired Town’s goal.

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 just need to field the same 11 for more than one match.

“I’ve also never had the same front two or centre-back pairing during this season.

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

“We were unlucky against Kirby Muxloe, we were a joy to watch. If we can continue to play with some belief then we will be OK this season.”