Phil Parkinson is facing the biggest challenge of his managerial career.
Plenty to think about - U's boss Phil Parkinson
A catalogue of injuries have left the Colchester United supremo struggling to pick a team for tomorrow's Coca-Cola League One clash at Tranmere Rovers.
Eight first-team players are side-lined Sam Stockley (ankle), Richard Garcia (hip), Bobby Bowry (groin), Jamie Cade (ankle), Kem Izzet (ankle), Karl Duguid (ankle), Stephen Hunt (dead leg) and Ben Bowditch.
Neil Danns is also doubtful because of a knee problem.
Add to that Craig Fagan's absence due to a two-match ban following his tenth yellow card of the season against Blackpool last Saturday and it's easy to see the dilemma facing Parkinson.
He told the Gazette: "This is the biggest test of my managerial career so far.
"All season we've missed quality players like Duguid, Izzet and Bowry.
"So when players like Garcia and Danns are added to that injury list it becomes a real test.
"I try not to complain about injuries because, as a supporter, I can't stand it when managers moan about them.
"But it's quite unusual to have this many people out.
"I've got ten senior players unavailable a Premiership team would struggle to deal with that.
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Published Friday, February 11, 2005
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