Marlon Walters’s dislocated knee couldn’t have come at a worse time for Willenhall.
The former Wolves reserve midfielder suffered the injury just after half-time in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at Romulus.
Walters was only playing his third match since rejoining the Noose Lane club from Bromsgrove and he will probably now the next two games.
That meant he was out for today’s clash at British Gas Business Midlands division clash second-placed Sutton – and Tuesday’s home clash with leaders Leamington.
Manager Mel Eves said: “It’s just our luck we’re playing the top two. It’s a blow because Marlon has come in and put in a lot of energy into the midfield.
“Marlon had a very nasty accident in the game where he twisted his knee very badly and had to go to hospital.
“It was a very clean dislocation and they managed to put it back, but he was in a lot of pain.
“We’re hoping he will only be out for one or two weeks as opposed to six weeks, so I’m pleased he will only miss two or three games rather than six or seven, but it’s still a blow.
“We didn’t bring him in to make up the numbers – we brought him in to improve the side.
“But the 15 or 16 lads who have come in have done very well this season and they’re well capable of doing a good job, so it won’t weaken us too much.
“I’m pleased with the way they have responded and the effort they are putting in.
“We’ve only got a small squad but you can’t carry a big squad at this level because we haven’t got a reserve team.
“But there’s three or four lads who can replace him.”
Eves revealed Walters is in much better spirits now.
“He was in to see the physio on Thursday after his hospital visit and he’s very positive,” said the boss.
Walters had helped steer Willenhall to three successive draws against Stourport, Leighton and Romulus before today, but Eves believes his side deserved more.
“We’ve got three points but we could have had seven or nine – I definitely see the last two draws as four points,” he said.
The Reds have been boosted by the signing of Keith Russell from Stourbridge.
The former Hednesford hero, whose FA Cup exploits once won him a £60,000 move to Blackpool, had been on loan at Pelsall Villa.
But he was signed in time for Saturday’s draw at Leighton before coming off the bench for the stalemate at Romulus.
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