Lowestoft Town joint boss Micky Chapman admits the Blues are missing the presence of Jack Defty but insists his squad still possesses enough firepower to launch another promotion challenge.

Defty has been sidelined with a broken leg sustained towards the end of last season at Bury and a date still hasn't been set for his return after a setback over the summer. Chapman admits his side are still adapting to life without the former King's Lynn man, particularly away from home, after a 0-0 draw at Wingate & Finchley last weekend.

'Jack (Defty) is a big miss – he has been massive for us and of course we are missing him but we have to get on with it,' said Chapman. 'The system we are playing is not defensive. We have been causing teams no end of problems at home with it. We've just got to look at carrying the same threat when we're away from home as well.'

The Trawlerboys, who host Hendon in the Ryman Premier Division this afternoon, will again be without suspended Chris Henderson, Greg Crane (thigh) and Curtley Williams (knee). Frontman Danny Cunningham is expected to return to the sqyuad after missing the draw at Wingate through illness.

Chapman admits Town are 'low on numbers at the moment' but added: 'We've got a quality squad but it's small. We will cope though.'