Lowestoft Town boss Dale Brooks has revealed the difficulties he faces in trying to draft local players into his Blues squad.

Brooks is on the lookout for reinforcements to his squad after Nico Cotton's loan spell from Southend came to an end.

The Trawlerboys chief has held talks with several players over the last week but admits it's difficult to get them to commit to playing for a club of Lowestoft's stature.

'I've spoken to three or four local players this week but they were good enough to say they are not at the stage where they can commit to playing for a team at our level,' he said. 'It's frustrating because you want to give local lads an opportunity.

'But I also understand that it's a big commitment - some lads wouldn't be able to get the time off to travel all the way to Wingate on Tuesday night for example.

'Some players will also look at our squad and doubt whether they would be able to break into our team. That's just where we are at.'

Lowestoft's last two matches against Folkestone Invicta and Hendon have fallen foul of the weather but the Blues are due to entertain play-off chasing Staines Town at the Amber Dew Events Stadium this afternoon.

The enforced break has at least given some members of his squad a chance to rest but Brooks has upped the intensity of training sessions recently to ensure an edge remains come match day.

'You do try and up it a level at this stage (in training) because we've got be as ready as we can be,' he said. 'The reality is that you can train all you like but there's nothing quite like playing. They are good lads though and they do their work away from the club to make sure they're as ready as they can be.'

Dean Leacock has had a minor setback in his comeback from injury whilst Andrew Fisk is still 'two or three weeks away' from making his return after sustaining a deep gash to his leg. The wound was so deep that it was unable to be stitched, meaning the recuperation period has to be longer for the midfielder.

Dan Humphries is available once again following concussion and will be named in the squad for this afternoon's clash.

Lowestoft will be looking for some home comfort having won just five of their 15 matches at the Amber Dew Events Stadium this season.