ACCRINGTON Stanley boss Paul Cook admits he has never faced a bigger injury list as a manager, but he is trying to remain positive as he prepares for tonight’s home match against Oxford without five of his six senior defenders.

Cook’s bad luck with injuries since his arrival in February extended even further on Saturday as he ended the game without three of the back four that started the match.

Danny Coid was yesterday having a scan on a knee problem and will miss out tonight, while Rob Kiernan is expected to be ruled out for the rest of the season with an ankle ligament injury – only three games into his loan spell from Wigan.

On-loan Toto Nsiala’s late red card for violent conduct means he will serve a three-match ban and, with Dean Winnard and Sean Hessey already sidelined, Stanley are now without four centre backs as well as influential midfielder Bryan Hughes.

Peter Murphy, who has played in an attacking midfield role in some recent matches, could switch to centre back and there could potentially be a full debut for 18-year-old Liam Willis. Midfielder Charlie Barnett could fill in at right back.

The mid-table Reds were yesterday investigating whether they could extend the loan of defender Michael Liddle, who returned to Sunderland after picking up three-match ban for a recent red card at Southend. His suspension has now finished.

“I think there’s a slim chance but obviously we’ve got to look at the finances as well,” Cook said.

“Where we are in the table at the minute possibly puts us in a place where we may go with what we’ve got until the end of the season.

“To lose three of your back four is very tough and unfortunately with Dean Winnard and Sean Hessey also out we have got a few issues defensively. Toto is suspended for three games, he played really well on Saturday but unfortunately he was sent off.

“He’ll be disciplined by Everton and by us but he’s a young lad trying to learn the game.

“But we’re going to put out a very attacking team that can certainly cause any team problems.

“We’re in a position where it looks like we’ll be safe, which we’re not mathematically sure of, but getting in the play-offs seems a little bit too much for us for where we’re at.

“So lads can go into the game and try to affect it in a nice positive way and try to score some goals.”