BRENDON King has conceded that “he is up against it” in his bid to land a defender ahead of this Saturday’s home clash with Cambridge City.

With Kyle Critchell, Sam Poole and Ed Palmer all suspended for the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division encounter, the Weymouth boss has been busy searching for emergency cover without any luck.

King told Echosport: “I am trying my hardest and I have had a couple of knockbacks.

“I spoke to Lee Bradbury at Havant for one lad but they now need him to stay after one of their other defenders got sent off against Dorchester Town on Tuesday night.

“The same has also happened with Plymouth Argyle. They had one that was another possible but since then they have had an injury and cannot afford to let him go.

“I am still waiting on a couple of other options but I am up against it.”

If King fails to bring in a replacement centre-back he will have to make do with what he has got.

He added: “We have worked on something in training just in case we do not get someone in.

“We have also had a good chat to the lads about it and if people have to play out of position then that is what they are going to have to do.

“As I have said before, losing three out of your regular back four is going to hurt any team at any standard of football but it is what it is and we just have to get on with it.

“As long as we display the same sort of pride and passion we showed at St Albans City last weekend we will be okay.”

Critchell is banned for three games while Poole and Palmer will miss just one.