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Hood has a build-up of fluid on his knee and this has added to Norton's defensive woes with Ian Bluck already on the injured list.

With these problems in mind, Norton as brought in former Birmingham City youth team defender Duane Courtney. The 19-year-old was to have played in the Stapenhill friendly tonight that was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch.

Norton said: "Duane has played quite a few games for the Blues youth team and a couple of times in the reserves. I will have to bring someone in on a short-term arrangement or on loan, because it would be wrong to throw one of our promising youngsters in at the deep end."

"I will also be having another look at Paul Campbell. He played really well at Hucknall but lost his way completely in the second half against Bedworth."

Norton is confident of completing a deal with Emeka Ejiofor. "We started talks on Saturday and we are not far off coming to an agreement with him. He's a bit short of match fitness but he has impressed me and would offer us another dimension up front.

"We have a lot of striker options this season but the one thing we are missing is a big target man, which Emeka would give us."

Nathan Tate, John Branch and Liam Hebberd have all agreed terms for another year along with Mark Leeson the former Burton Albion youth player.