MARTIN Drury will be on the sidelines again as Bradford Park Avenue host Boston United in the Vanarama Conference North tomorrow.

The left back is set for another long absence after suffering yet another serious-looking injury.

Bradford boss John Deacey confirmed what was widely surmised after Drury was stretchered off in the first half of last Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Gainsborough Trinity.

Deacey said: “Its terrible news for the lad and not good for the club. I have four players all missing because they are waiting for operations – Martin, Adam Clayton, Nathan Turner and Alex Davidson.

“They are four top players who would be in the first XI if they were fit. I can accept injuries, strains, knocks, pulls but to have so many out with long-term problems is hard to take.

“But you have to crack on with it. I have said that I’ve got a bigger squad this season and I would need it, and never more than right at this moment.

"When you think that Richard Marshall, Joe Colbeck, Scott Kerr, Danny Frost and Brad Barraclough might all be on the bench tomorrow, it shows what depth we have.”

Avenue would have been joint top had they won at Gainsborough but defeat has put them seventh.

Visitors Boston are third in the table and their only loss in the opening six games was to North Ferriby United, who are one of the two clubs above the Pilgrims.

Deacey knows his side will have to be on top form if they are to get anything from Boston’s visit but the Bradford boss is encouraged by the start his club have made.

“No matter who we have missing through injury, we will give Boston a tough game,” said Deacey.

“It is always a hard game when we meet them. They have some very good players and have done well – they are a point ahead of us – but we are capable of beating them if we step up.

“We have to be at it on the day though, and not poor like we were in the first half at Gainsborough. I was disappointed with that performance because I know how well we can play.

“Martin is the only new injury, because we already knew about the others, so everyone else will be all right. Everyone has trained well and we will have a look at it (team selection) in the morning.”