FIRST team coach Micky Moore says Mansfield Town's crippling injury list is affecting their ability to carve out chances – and insists they will get better once players return.
The Stags went into Tuesday night's 0-0 draw at Tranmere without strikers Liam Hearn, Matt Rhead and Ollie Palmer before losing Alex Fisher after he dislocated his shoulder.
Mansfield had already been forced to bring in Daniel Carr from Huddersfield Town on an emergency loan because of a lack of attacking options.
Moore was disappointed the Stags failed to get a single shot on target at Prenton Park as they recorded a third draw in a row, but is adamant things will improve.
"It's disappointing we didn't have shots on target. At the minute we are not creating enough opportunities and that's something we need to have a look at," he said.
"We are missing Matt Rhead because he is an important player for us and would be a big loss to any team. We are missing that physical presence.
"We were hoping to use Ollie (Palmer) or Fish (Fisher) on Saturday, but Ollie got taken away from us and now Fish has been taken away from us too, so that's four strikers we have out.
"But we are missing other players too, including Chris Clements and Adam Murray, who give you that little bit more creativity, which would help the forwards.
"I think once we can start getting a few of these players back, it will make a real difference and we may have to look at getting another loan in for Saturday too."
Moore is looking forward to welcoming Murray back into the squad after he has now served a three-game ban for his sending off in the home defeat to Accrington.
The midfielder's return is particularly welcome given Simon Heslop has been having pain-killing injections to get through games.
Moore added: "He (Murray) is our captain and our leader and he's a massive influence on the pitch, not just football-wise, but vocally too.
"Having him back as an option will be good, but to be fair to the lads who are in there, Jamie McGuire and Simon Heslop, they've done very well in his absence."
Fisher is expected to be out for four to six weeks, while Kieron Freeman's knee injury will be assessed after a scan, although he is already a doubt for Saturday's trip to York City.
