YAN Cartman says Northwich will start tomorrow’s derby date with Winnington Park as underdogs, admitting Blacks are struggling to cope with a lengthy injury list.

The first team manager told the Guardian that at least eight regulars will be missing when the neighbours clash at Moss Farm, where the hosts have lost their past two matches.

In fact, they have been beaten in four successive league games since beating Anselmians on the season’s opening day.

“They’re favourites to win for sure,” he said.

“I’ve never known anything like in terms of how many lads we have out; rugby is a sport where guys pick up knocks, bumps and bruises all of the time.

“But we’ve got players out with breaks or who need operations to repair serious damage.

“At training this week we’ve counted eight names that would probably have started this game that can’t because they’re hurt.”

Skipper Chris Dale is one of them after he fractured bones in both his arm and wrist in last month’s 20-3 home reverse against Liverpool St Helens.

John Brotherton (hand), Rhys Edwards (dislocated shoulder), Rick Smith (knee) will be missing too along with Chris James and Michael Gallimore.

Northwich have recruited two overseas players – a Kiwi flanker and a prop from Samoa – but neither will arrive in time to face in-form Park.

Cartman said: “Lads have stepped in from the second team, but it’s a big jump up in quality for them to get used to.

“It’s also more difficult when you get a group making the move all at the same time.

“Many of them won’t have played in a match like this, but there’s pride at stake and they want to do well for the club and the shirt.

“We’ll be telling them to enjoy being part of such a big occasion while at the same time being realistic – Winnington have had a great start to the season and their confidence will be sky high.”

Northwich, denied promotion from South Lancs/Cheshire Division One only during the dying seconds of a play-off at Bolton last season, are unlikely to repeat the trick according to the veteran.

After winning only once, their short-term aim is to consolidate.

He said: “Our plan was to challenge again because the squad we have is more than capable of doing that.

“The early signs were good too after beating last year’s champions New Brighton in the Cheshire Vase and Anselmians in our first league game.

“But the injuries, most of them long-term, have put paid to that.

“It’s now a time to take stock, and reassess what we can do without so many experienced players.”

Kick off on Saturday is 3pm.