Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley admits his optimism from earlier in the week may have been a bit premature as his injury concerns have mounted to worrying proportions ahead of his team's Vanarama National League trip to Gateshead this weekend.

The Iron boss was hopeful that members of his squad such as Matt Paine and Remy Clerima may be fit to make returns against the Heed, but admits that may not be the case now and a number of others are carrying knocks after their mid-week win at Grimsby.

It means Braintree will be travelling north with a number of players from their academy and Cowley said there's a possibility that some may be needed in the starting line-up.

He said: "We've picked up injuries and it's looking like we're really down to the bare bones.

"A number of the youth team players will be travelling with us and some could be starting with how it's looking.

"I've got Simeon Akinola struggling with his hip still, Chez Isaac came off with a hamstring strain against Grimsby and is still feeling it, Dan Sparkes has a sinus infection, Kenny Davis has an infected toe, (Reading loanee) Harry Cardwell has had a bad back and Sean Marks still has a tight hamstring.

"Then there's Matt (Paine) and Remy (Clerima).

"We were hoping they'd be fit for Saturday, but it's not so clear at the moment.

"It's going to be tough, especially as we've got what is potentially the biggest game of our season - and even the club's history - coming up.

"However, I can guarantee that whoever we pick, they will give their utmost and work hard to get the result we want."