Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher admits he has to push his players to the limit to keep pace in the Ryman League Premier.

The Blues are running a small squad after the budget was cut in the summer and Gallagher concedes players are being asked to play through injuries when they could do with being rested.

Gallagher praised the attitude of his squad ahead of their league clash against Havant & Waterlooville this afternoon when his resources are likely to be stretched once again.

'I think a few of the lads are in their best form of the season but with things the way they are it just means that sometimes we have to play players when physically they aren't at their best and when they could really do with a break.

'That's something that we've been able to do in the past.

'But the one thing I was proud of was the way the lads have stepped up. We've had senior players like Andrew Fisk and Fraser Blake-Tracy out with injury and we've had to have others play through a few niggles. I really can't fault the attitude of the lads.

'They are playing through the pain barrier for the club.'

Lowestoft had a mixed bag of results during the festive period but Jake Reed's last-minute equaliser against AFC Sudbury means they should head into today's contest in good heart.

The Trawlerboys remain in the play-off mix although they have played more games than most of their rivals. Gaining a place in the top five would be a huge achievement given the backdrop Gallagher is working against.

'While there's breath in my body I will try to win every game we can and I just want to see where it takes us,' he added.

'We are never going to say we aren't aiming for the top positions. To play games in quick succession like we have recently puts incredible strain on our squad.

'But we will just keep plugging away and see where it takes us.'

Jake Jessup is likely to continue in goal after impressing in the 1-1 draw at Sudbury and Gallagher believes the former Great Yarmouth youngster has earned his chance.

'Jake's attitude of late has been very good. We've conceded a lot of goals in recent games and sometimes you just have to mix things up to have a difference. Jamie (Waite) hasn't done anything wrong and if and when his chance comes along again then it's up to him to take it.

'But it's down to Jake now – I've never doubted the ability that he's got but he's got to make sure that he continues to work on any weaknesses in his game because there's no doubt that he's got a lot of strengths as well.'

Gallagher insisted the door isn't closed on Waite, who joined the Blues in the summer.

'Jamie's a great lad and it is by no means solely his fault we have conceded goals in recent weeks,' he added. But as manager you have to put out the side you feel has got the best chance of taking three points and I think Jake deserves his chance at the moment.'

Fisk is a doubt with a calf problem whilst Blake-Tracy is also struggling with a muscle strain.

Chris Henderson and Harvey Hodd are both suffering with hamstring strains but Gallagher will give them as much time as possible to prove their fitness.