Lowestoft Town have enough firepower to cope with the loss of Jake Reed, insists manager Ady Gallagher.

Top goalscorer Reed could be out for the season with an ankle injury suffered in the 1-0 win over Gainsborough Trinity last month.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge hitman faces a race against time to play at least some part in the Blues' run-in, but Gallagher hopes his other strikers will take their chance in his absence.

'I'm not optimistic (about Reed's injury) but I'm hoping he may be able to play some part between now and the end of the season,' said Gallagher.

'When Jake has been fit he has more often than not started. It's now up to Ryan (Jarvis) and Danny (Crow) to take their chance. If you look at the experience both Danny and Ryan have got I don't think any of the defences at this level will hold any fears for them.

'We've also got Shaun Bammant and Chris Henderson as well that can play up there so I don't think we're short of firepower.

'It's not too much of a worry – it's not just up to the strikers to score the goals as well – we need other areas to chip in as well.'

Lowestoft head to Stockport this afternoon, two points from safety, although they do still have two games in hand over Brackley, who occupy the last safe spot.

Brackley's surprise win at Boston United last weekend put the pressure firmly on Lowestoft but Gallagher takes some comfort in that the Trawlerboys' destiny remains in their hands.

'It comes down to ourselves really and how we play,' he added.

'We can't be looking to anyone else to do us favours and it is still in our own hands. It's going to be a tough challenge but one that I feel we can meet.

'I don't think it's just down to us and Brackley either. Other teams above us aren't safe yet and I don't think either Corby or Hednesford will be giving it up as a lost cause either.'

Lowestoft have been feeling the effects of a virus in the last couple of weeks and Gallagher cancelled training last Tuesday to give his players extra time to recover and reduce the risk of it being caught by other members of the squad.

'I'm hoping we're through the worst of it now,' he said.

'We've got a small squad and when you get a bit of sickness through the squad then it makes it very difficult.

'I was really proud of our performance (against Nuneaton) but unfortunately our energy levels were quite low, which made it very difficult.

'The next two games (at Stockport and Harrogate) are going to be big tests for us and we need to be as fresh as we can be.'