Manager Bob Makin is more concerned about a growing injury list than vital crunch encounters in the next few weeks as his team enter the final phase of the season.

A torn stomach muscle has kept Jason Shaw on the sidelines since December, Paul Shaw has had a recurrence of a knee injury, Tony Samuels is resting a hamstring, and both Steve Daly (calf) and Rob Hollingdale (knee) were missing from last Saturday's team sheet.

Also currently on the treatment table are Matt Corbould (calf) and Steve Talboys (calf).

Keeper Martin Taylor has been playing with a back problem, and player/coach Kerry Dixon has an inflamed achilles.

To stretch Wood's playing resources even more, team captain Garry Nisbet is nursing a slight hamstring strain, following Wood's 4-1 success at Walton.

"We have got a number of players out and they are not coming back quickly enough," moaned Makin.

"There are some important games ahead but I am more worried about our injury problems."

Wood are perfectly placed for a final promotion push, with five games in hand over current table toppers, Sutton United, but Makin's side have been in this situation before -- and blown it.

Two seasons ago, Wood lost two vital home matches in the run-in, at home to Bishops Stortford (0-1) and in the final week of the season against Yeovil (0-2), as the season drew to a dramatic conclusion.

Added Makin: "We finished third that year, just three points out then, but I hope the players that experienced that near miss, who are still with us, will have learned from that situation.

"Having said that, we have still got to go some to get as near as that."

Wood face high-flying Dagenham & Redbridge this Saturday, before crunch encounters with title contenders Kingstonian (March 21), Sutton United (April 4) and Heybridge Swifts (April 7).

"These games are championship deciders and we need the support of the local people to come and help us win them," said chairman Phil Wallace.

The statistics show that Wood are currently enjoying a purple patch, unbeaten in 11 league matches, and have lost only four games since the end of September.

During that rich vein of form, Wood recorded 12 consecutive wins in league and cup duty, and are one of the most entertaining sides in the division to watch.

Star striker Shaun Marshall has bagged close to 40 goals this season, and his formidable partnership with Junior Samuels is one of the main reasons behind Wood's success this term.

"It is a credit to the players that we are in this position," beamed Bob.

"They have applied themselves correctly and shown tremendous attitude and spirit.

"We have bounced back after a disastrous start to the season, and are in contention for championship honours. It's going to be an exciting time between now and May."

Added Wallace: "We're on the verge of the Conference and with our games in hand we could go clear."

Makin reserved special praise for his star frontman, who may well have never joined Wood if boss Bob had taken the advice of his friends.

"People told me that he would drive me mad and that he was lazy, but I am sure they are eating their words now."

Wallace has issued a plea to Wood fans to make sure they out-sing -- and outnumber -- rival supporters in the coming weeks.

"I don't want our lads to walk out and only hear the opposition fans. I was very disappointed against Slough -- a cup replay against Conference opposition for a place in the last eight of the FA Umbro Trophy -- because, of the 544 people in the ground, 350 must have been from Slough."

Tonight Wood face Yeading in the Full Members Cup. In the league they are at home to Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday and away at Carshalton on Tuesday.

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