STEVE Hollick has never been one to use injuries as an excuse for losing – and the AFC Totton boss is not going to start now.

Yet it cannot be denied that the gods have not been smiling on the Stags for the start of the new Southern One South & West campaign.

Already shorn of striker Mark Gamble, who had a summer clean-up operation on his ankle, Totton have been beset with early-season problems.

Forward Dylan Knight dislocated his shoulder, ex-Saint Pedro ‘Pele’ Monteiro pulled a quad muscle in the opening-day defeat against Hereford and both defender Tony Rolls and winger Nick Watts exited Tuesday’s 1-0 reverse at Swindon Supermarine – Rolls pulling a hamstring and Watts bowing out with a jarred knee.

Add that to star man Mike Gosney being hospitalised on the eve of the Hereford game and Nathaniel Sherborne being unavailable, and it’s been one big headache for manager Hollick – albeit that he is reluctant to make a fuss.

“I’ve never used injury, budget or anything else as an excuse,” he said. “I don’t like it when other people do it and I’m not going to do it myself.

“We’ve still put a side out that should be able to compete in this league and that’s what I’ll expect them to do at North Leigh on Saturday.

“One of our young under-18 players Alex Haynes had 60 minutes on Tuesday when Tony Rolls came off and did exceptionally well. Ideally we probably wouldn’t have wanted to put him in so soon, but he’s taken the chance and run with it and that’s what we’re all about.

“If the big guns are injured, it’s up to the young ones to come in and take their chance. We’ll put 11 fit players out and we expect them to run through brick walls for the club.”

Gosney went into hospital, seemingly with a mystery virus, but scans revealed a twisted stomach. He was released on Wednesday after treatment and is recovering at home.

Former Fawley frontman Knight played the last 15 minutes at Swindon having got the all-clear from physio Dave Penny and Hollick hopes to have him available on Saturday.

Pele might also stand a chance of playing, but Rolls is struggling and Gamble faces at least a couple more weeks out.

Reflecting on Tuesday’s game, settled by a 40th-minute Joe Selman strike, Hollick said: “We weren’t good enough in the first half. Swindon played well and Mowy (goalkeeper Steve Mowthorpe) made some fantastic saves to keep us in it.

“We put it right in the second half and Dan Munday had a chance to equalise. Maybe we should have come away with a point, but it would have been harsh on Swindon. It’s a tough place to go and I’d imagine they’ll be up there again.

“We need to put in a performance at North Leigh to kick-start our season.”

Like Supermarine, North Leigh boast a maximum six points having beaten Bridgwater and Wantage.