Sturrock refuses to risk Ifil and Tozer at Leeds
PAUL Sturrock fears Town's promotion push is in danger of crashing down around their ears - but insists he will not risk players' long term well-being for the collective good.
The Town boss is growing increasingly frustrated with the financial situation and resulting transfer embargo at the County Ground but will not endanger players' futures for the sake of a short-term fix.
Key central defender Jerel Ifil (main picture) is rated "very, very doubtful" for Saturday's trip to Leeds after a reaction to his shin injury from training yesterday.
While Sturrock has revealed he is not going to throw teenager Ben Tozer (below) into the Elland Road cauldron, despite an impressive showing last weekend, claiming the experience has come too soon for him.
With Ady Williams, Jamie Vincent and goalkeeper Phil Smith still missing from the defence, Sturrock's options are severely limited but he is not about to be panicked into risking his players' fitness or future.
He said: "Jerel is very, very doubtful. He has trained today and I don't think he has looked comfortable. We will give him every opportunity but I think it will be a difficult one.
"We have to weigh it up but it would not be fair to rush him. I will not bring the boy Tozer into line for this one though. I feel it would be an experience too early for him.
"I could play Tozer to the detriment of his development, but I just feel with their centre forwards it could be to the detriment of him.
"I envisage him not being in the starting XI. I have seen enough, I was very impressed but did feel there were things we would have to work on.
"It is a sensible option. Remember the league is 46 games, not one. But we are in a precarious position and could drop off the play-offs and we do not want to do that. But no-one will be risked."
With away games against Carlisle and Southend and a local derby against Bristol Rovers also on the horizon, Sturrock knows his side could be reaching a make-or-break stage of the campaign.
He said: "It is a horrible thing to say but with three tough away games ahead things could go dramatically wrong very, very quickly and it could become one of those nothing seasons.
"Then it would be real rebuild for next season as quickly as possible. That happened at Plymouth, once we got promoted we had a real look at it and knew we were not going to get up so moved a load of players on and looked ahead.
"It would be nice to be still sniffing things come Christmas and the New Year though."
Andy Nicholas and Chris Blackburn seem to be contesting the slot to partner Hasney Aljofree in the middle, but Sturrock admits the lack of transfer activity is really holding the side back.
He said: "Every day I keep people sweet but that only lasts so long. It is a worry to me because it would be nice to delve in the market.
"We had a real upsurge when we brought three in in the window. We can't afford to wait till January. I have four key spots to fill. It is really important we get this embargo off as quickly as possible.
"I have not missed a player yet. They have promised me more leeway but they are waiting and that won't go on forever."
Meanwhile Sturrock has confirmed fitness coach Jordan Milsom has left the club due to the financial situation.
thisisswindontownfc.co.uk
