News

Beresford – Rovers top scorer for the past two seasons – has yet to appear in a league game this term after injuring an eye in a pre-season friendly.

Ironically, the injury came just as Beresford was returning to the goal trail after missing the closing stages of last season with a knee injury.

He battled his way back to fitness in time to appear in Rovers’ last game of the campaign – a 6-1 defeat at Halesowen Harriers. But the latest injury blow looks like assuming more serious proportions.

Moat boss Frank Northwood said last night: “Brian has been to see a specialist and the news isn’t good. He’s been told to go back in three weeks time for another check. At the moment, the injury behind his eye hasn’t healed at all.

“At the very least it’s going to be a couple of months before he can start thinking about playing football again – if then.”

Beresford’s indisposition is the last thing Northwood needs as he embarks on what he admits is a “make or break season.”

The veteran manager has assembled one of the largest and strongest squads ever at the Moat Ground but goals just can’t be bought.

Now he plans to turn to Burton Albion’s manager Brian Fidler for help, believing that Brewers’ reserve striker Ian Heap could do a short-term job for the Moatmen.

And Northwood is also trailing Hednesford striker Johnny Branch, who made a string of loan appearances for Rovers last term.