RILED Bashley boss Barry Blankley reckons those who are doubting Paul Sales's value for money should spare a thought for the player himself.

Sales, a £5,000 signing from Salisbury City in February last year, has had setback after setback with injury this season.

The gifted striker spent over two months out with groin trouble and then pulled his hamstring at Dorchester on Boxing Day after just six starts back in the side.

He made his long-awaited comeback less than a month ago, but now faces at least another fortnight on the sidelines after his hamstring went again in last week's 4-1 win over Fisher.

Blankley, left, said: "It's disappointing for me, the fans and the club, but people should spare a thought for Paul too. No one's as disappointed as he is.

"He usually stays behind for a drink after the game, but last week he shot off straight away because he was feeling so down about it."

When Sales joined Bashley, they were fighting for their lives at the foot of the Eastern Division. Going into tomorrow's home game with Histon, they are sitting pretty in pole position and, for all his injury troubles, Sales has played a massive part in turning the club around.

Hitting back at the critics, Blankley said: "Some people have got very short and convenient memories and should be careful not to start knocking.

"Paul joined us with 16 games to go last season and scored 14 goals. They say no man makes a team, but he made a hell of difference between finishing bottom and finishing tenth.

"No one enjoys being injured and while I'd admit that Paul's pain threshold isn't the biggest, he's not the sort to go ducking out of any challenges. I couldn't knock any of my forwards, they've all been superb."

Frontman Richard Gillespie should be fit to face the league's highest scorers, Histon, tomorrow and both Aaron Cook and Mark Lisk are available again.

Bash will have big-time revenge in mind having been slayed 6-0 away to Histon back at the start of September - their biggest defeat of the season.