Ablett set to shuffle pack

Ablett: Short on numbers

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Stockport manager Gary Ablett could be forced to explore his attacking options over the coming week.

County host Exeter on Saturday before travelling to Colchester on Tuesday and Ablett is struggling for numbers up front.

Free-scoring midfielder Carl Baker is doubtful through illness while on-loan Reading striker Nicholas Bignall is set to miss both games after picking up a hamstring strain.

Peter Thompson and 17-year-old Tom Fisher are both fit, however, as Ablett contemplates a reshuffle.

"Some of the younger ones have advanced their claims," he told skysports.com.

"Cameron Darkwah has done really well in the youth team and scored a hat-trick last week.

"But we have other options. David Poole can play up there if we need him and we've got Oli Johnson as well so we'll see.

"We've not been scoring enough goals and that's something we've been trying to put right in training this week."

Motivation

County's 2-0 loss at Walsall on Saturday was their fourth straight defeat and left them one place above the drop zone.

And although Ablett reckons the Hatters warrant a healthier league position, he feels the time has come to convert their performances into points.

"We've had a look at the tape from Saturday and we felt there were three penalties we may have got on any other Saturday, but we've just got to be positive and keep the motivation," he added.

"We're not in the greatest position and the table doesn't lie. Although we've played better than our position suggests, we've got to get the results to get up the table.

"The more games you don't win now, the more important they become, and a win on Saturday would take us within a point of Exeter.

"They'll come here on the back of a good result at Colchester (2-2) and think they can get something here too so I'm expecting a close game but it's one I think we're capable of winning."