DESPERATE Mutare City Rovers, eager to pick up points as the relegation battle hots up, have four regular players sidelined ahead of their rescheduled midweek league clash against Chicken Inn at Luveve on Thursday.

Youthful Rovers coach Taku Shariwa is a worried man as his side is just a point away from safety going into Week 24.

The club’s best player so far Kudakwashe Gurure, veteran defender William Mapfumo and Vimbai Madamombe as well as Martin Tapatapa – are highly likely to miss the match against the defending champions owing to injury.

“We we are in a precarious position and need points desperately. Our main worry is the ballooning casualty list.

“Mapfumo still out, so is Madamombe, Gurure and now Martin (Tapatapa),” said Shariwa.

“These guys are regulars and it worsens our situation. My prayer is that at least some of them recover by the time we play Chicken Inn,” he said.

Shariwa said the match against Chicken Inn can go either way.

“We are both smarting from defeats suffered in the Chibuku Super Cup. We (City Rovers) will be on the road to Bulawayo again which means we don't have much time to rest nor for adequate preparations.

“We will see how best we prepare and come back with a positive result. Chicken Inn have a respectable gaffer and are the defending champions.

“They have quality players in Chris Samakwere, Darryl Nyandoro, Obadiah Tarumbwa, Tafadzwa Kutinyu but we will go there to compete.”