The Cottagers are missing virtually an entire team through injury, with their midfield hit especially hard due to the absence of seven players.

It got worse before the hectic festive period when defender Zat Knight was ruled out for two months with a broken jaw following a freak accident in a play-fight with his brother.

Coleman said, "This is a shame for us and for Zat because he's done well this year, showing a lot of maturity and consistency."

"We need a bit of luck with injuries but aren't getting any. Our bench is very inexperienced. We're down to the bare bones."