WITTON Albion kick off the season at promotion favourites North Ferriby United on Saturday - and already they are faced with a crisis.
Strikers Carl Frost and Griff Jones, seen as rivals to partner Mike Moseley, are both sidelined for a month with knee damage.
But manager Jim Vince is upbeat. He said: 'We have got enough players in the squad. Other than these injuries everything has gone to plan and we've had a fantastic pre-season.
'I am predicting nothing, but I do promise we will give a good account of ourselves, we'll play attractive football and give value for money.'
Frost and Jones are in their second spells with the club - Frost having played on loan at Wincham Park from Crewe Alex three years ago and Jones returning less than a year after his departure when Gary Finley quit Albion.
He was signed only last week after being released by Lancaster City and twisted his knee in training. Frost arrived from Leek, but neither man will play a part until the middle of September, which may well leave Moseley with a rookie partner in former Port Vale youngster Keiron Haughton or ex-Crewe Alex academy striker Triston-Hamilton Hendricks.
Witton's goal-scoring worries might have been eased somewhat had livewire winger Shaun Whalley not been starting a four-match ban for his red card at Gateshead last April.
Vince has also to make his mind up on the formation.
Witton were doing nicely on a 3-5-2 line-up until they came unstuck late on after several substitutions in their final friendly at Clitheroe, where left-sided Chris Adams made his debut after joining from Altrincham.
Vince is unlikely to give up easily on the formidable defensive trio of Brian Pritchard, Tony Barras and Tom Spearitt, especially against one of the UniBond League title favourites.
North Ferriby led for much of last season but lost in the play-offs last term, but have strengthened the squad over summer.
Albion are at home on Tuesday against Ossett Town (7.45pm).
