Guiseley AFC have been hit by injuries as they prepare for their FA Trophy game against Stafford Rangers at Nethermoor Park on Saturday (3 pm).

In last Saturday's league win over Kendal Town defender Simon Phillips sustained a knee injury early in the game.

He now awaits a specialist carrying out an exploratory operation on the same knee which suffered cruciate ligament damage and kept him out ofn the game for almost two years.

The utility defender only returned to the side at the start of this season and was making his presence felt with some good displays.

Saturday's game also saw central defender Matt Daly sustain a calf muscle injury which kept him out of Tuesday night's game at Ossett Albion while fellow defender Simon Trevitt is also a doubt with a groin strain.

David Cooke is another who did not play on Tuesday and will be doubtful for Saturday while James Nettleton has a heavy cold.

All these injuries are added to the long term loss of young striker Ryan Senior.

One positive note is that wide player Dave Henry returned to the subs bench on Tuesday but obviously lacks match fitness.

Parsley's men are however gearing up for the FA Trophy tie against a side who were thrashed 5-1 at Canvey Island in the FA Cup last Saturday.

Guiseley are growing in confidence after stringing together four successive wins and if they can overcome some of their injury problems they will be looking to progress in a game manager Neil Parsley describes as "massive for the club".

He said: "It is a massive game considering our early exit from the FA Cup. It adds pressure on me and the players and Stafford are a decent side lying tenth in the Premier Division of the Dr Martens League."

"We need to make progress in this competition so we will be looking for all the support we can get from the home crowd."