John Coleman said Accrington Stanley are down to the bare bones for tonight’s FA Cup third round replay against Boreham Wood with 19 players unavailable.

Injuries and illness have decimated the Reds’ squad with Aaron Pressley, Seamus Conneely and Rosaire Longelo all limping off in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Bristol Rovers in League One.

However Coleman is confident whoever runs out at the Wham Stadium tonight will give their all with the winners to face Leeds United or Cardiff City at home in the fourth round.

“With injury and sickness we have 19 players out – I don’t think anyone has ever suffered that in football,” the Reds boss told the club website.

“It’s going to be really tough for us as I have to name nine substitutes.

“We have a good youth team who have done well but it’s a big ask for them to compete. But whatever we put out, we will give it our best shot.

“Seamus will have a scan but it’s not looking good; Rosaire is touch and go but it’s more go than touch and Aaron, luckily nothing is broken but he has badly bruised his foot.

“We have got players who will give their all and go through a brick wall for you so we will see who we can patch up and what we can do and do our best.

“People don’t go out to get injured, and people are playing through injuries and sickness, so you have got to take your hat off to our lads on how big a heart they have and how they will do their utmost within their capabilities to try and get a result for the club.

“You wouldn’t find a closer set of lads, they all bounce off each other and hopefully our grit and determination will see us through.”

Winning the game could mean Stanley could bring in two more players in the transfer window due to the finances involved but all Coleman is concentrating on is the match.

“It’s massive for the club, the financial aspect, the chance to bring Cardiff or Leeds here but we are only looking at Boreham Wood,” added Coleman.

“It could get you another two players and, with the amount of bodies who are falling for us, we will need them.

“I think we still need three players in but getting three established players at this stage of the season is difficult and I am not the only manager looking at that.

“We have one or two irons in the fire and we should be in a stronger position by Saturday. There is no magic formula, you get some wrong but thankfully over the years we have got a lot right.”