Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has dug out his contacts book in an effort to plug the gaps left by a string of injuries.

Doswell returned from a holiday in South Africa celebrating his 50th birthday yesterday, and having spent the final day on the blower, he already has fresh legs in training today.

He is running the rule over a left back/left winger from West Ham United, and is also hopeful of bringing in two strikers and a centre half on loan.

Louis John has been recalled from his loan spell, but due to revised FA rules cannot play until February 24, and Tommy Wright has also been recalled.

FOOTBALL: A patched-up Sutton United can hold their heads up despite FA Trophy exit, says Baird

The emergency phone calls have come on the back of an ever growing injury list, which now includes skipper Jamie Collins, who is out for up to six weeks after picking up a hamstring injury in the FA Trophy defeat at Bognor Regis Town on Tuesday.

He joins Craig McAllister (four weeks, knee) and Dan Spence (one week, hamstring) in the treatment room.

Ahead of this weekend’s National League South clash with Bath City at Gander Green Lane, Doswell is expecting to have Simon Downer, Craig Dundas and Nicky Bailey in the action after the trio suffered with cramp in mid-week.

However, Dan Fitchett is a doubt having played in Bognor with a pain-killer injection in his injured toe.

On the brighter side, Kevin Amankwaah is back from injury and Craig Eastmond should be available for the Bath game after spending most of Tuesday night on the bench.

Doswell said: “When I left for the holiday we had 18 fit players, now we have 11.

“I spent the last day in South Africa making thousands of phone calls and I am hopeful of getting the guys we want.

“If we can use Simon [Downer] and Dean [Beckwith] in the centre until Louis [John] is available it should work.

"We need a striker because we cannot rely on Craig [Dundas] and Stuart [Fleetwood].

“We’re light on numbers, and we need to do something.”

He added: “It would have been lovely to get further in the FA Trophy, but look at what two extra games have cost us in terms of injuries.

“We’ve done well financially out the competition, but I cannot say I am too disappointed to be out.

“The focus was, and will always be, to get into the play-offs and get promoted.”