However, Boro boss pleased he won’t have ‘players sitting around who aren’t involved’

Graham Westley has said he expects his squad to be stretched at times in the coming months, but says there are also benefits to having a smaller squad.

Stevenage have lost Lee Barnard (Southend United), Jack Jebb (Arsenal), Charlie Adams (Brentford), Ryan Brunt (Bristol Rovers) and David McAllister (Shrewsbury Town) in recent weeks as all five have returned to their parent clubs following loan spells, while Jon Ashton, Connor Calcutt and Harry Worley are still injured.

Boro did manage to secure the services of both Tom Conlon and Michael Richens on permanent deals this week, while Calvin Zola and Adam Marriott have both returned to full fitness, and Westley believes having players consistently involved and not ‘sitting around’ will benefit his side.

“We’re not blessed with the resources to sign players willy-nilly,” Westley said.

“We have got to try to get players back from injury. At times we’ll be stretched, that speaks for itself. It’s not going to be easy, you pick up a knock or two and looking at a training ground with 12 players on it.

“So it can be difficult, but there’s no point worrying about it. It’s always about the team you’re producing for the weekend, the 11 who you’re going to get ready, the three you’re going to bring on. And keep focused on keeping people together.

“The good thing about our situation is we don’t have players sitting around who haven’t got an involvement and feel worthless, who are starting to chip away at the morale of the squad because they’re not involved.

“However professional people want to be you’re always going to get that in a big squad so we haven’t got that and it’s a big benefit.”