WINCHESTER City have a lengthy injury list to contend with for Saturday’s FA Cup second qualifying round test at Merthyr Town.

A trip to Penydarren Park is challenging in the best of circumstances, let alone with seven players either ruled out or rated “touch and go” to face the Evo-Stik Premier Division South high-fliers.

“We’re the walking wound, to be honest,” rued player-boss Craig Davis.

“This is a massive game for us. The money’s important, but more so the prestige of the game. We haven’t been to this round for a while. One or two more rounds and you reach the promised land.

“Merthyr are joint top of their league, so we’d be the underdogs travelling with a full-strength side, let alone with a threadbare squad.

“But we’ve got a good group of lads and, even though it sounds a bit of a cliché, we’re going to enjoy ourselves and see what we can do.

“We’ve taken ten points from 15 in the league and got this far in the FA Cup – I’d have ripped your arm off for that at the start of the season. These players have pleasantly surprised everyone in trying circumstances.”

Jake Rawkins (shoulder), Liam Gilbert (ankle), Matt Benham (cup-tied) and George Short (groin) are definitely out and there are major question marks over Oli Bailey (swollen ankle), Simba Mlambo (groin) and Sam Roberts (groin).

Davis himself has a black and blue thumb having had the ball whacked against his hand in training, but he has declared himself fit.

City’s squad will contain a fair sprinkling of youngsters who will thrive on the FA Cup experience.

“Merthyr’s a famous old club and there will be a decent crowd and a good atmosphere,” said Davis.