BASINGSTOKE Town manager Frank Gray is facing a central defensive crisis ahead of Saturday's FA Cup clash with Hamworthy United.

Both Jason Bristow and Joe Dolan are rated as doubtful for the second qualifying round tie due to injury, while Adam Aimable is suspended after being sent off during Town's Setanta Shield defeat at home to Fisher.

An injury to the back of Dolan's knee forced him to watch from the stands last Saturday, when Basingstoke were beaten 3-1 at the Camrose by Team Bath,while Bristow had to be substituted just 13 minutes into the game after suffering a knock to his troublesome thigh.

With Aimable suspended, Sean Hankin would be the only senior centre-back available should Dolan and Bristow fail to recover.

Town conceded three terrible goals without their first choice central defenders last week and Gray (pictured left) is under no illusions about just how important they are.

"We really need at least one of them back," he said. "I just hope they will be fit but they could be doubtful.

"Jason is less likely to be ready, because he has been carrying his injury for a couple of weeks and came off after 10 minutes on Saturday, while Joe at least had a rest. We will have to wait and see."

With or without Dolan and Bristow, Gray expects Saturday's match at the Camrose (kick-off 3pm) to be a difficult game.

Hamworthy United are currently 16th in the Wessex Premier, with six points from six games. They lost 2-0 at home to Lymington in their last league match but recorded a 4-1 win away at Radstock Town in the FA Vase last Saturday, with striker Warren Byerley hitting a hat-trick.

The Dorset club may play their football three levels below Basingstoke but Gray insists that his side will not be complacent going into the match.

"We should win on paper but will not be taking anything for granted," he said. "It will be a tough game. We have got to prepare properly and make sure everyone has the right attitude. If we do that, we should come through the game."

Gray will definitely be without Matt Warner, whose ankle injury will keep him out for another couple of weeks, while striker James Faulkner has left the club due to work commitments.

However, loan players Scott Shulton, Calum Botham and Mitchell Bryant have all been cleared to play by their parent clubs.

Defeat on Saturday could be a killer blow to the confidence of a young side that are yet to win this season and lie at the foot of the Blue Square South table, but Gray is refusing to contemplate losing.

"We have got to forget about losing," he said. "We have to go out there with the attitude that we will win the game. It's important for us as a team to start winning and this game gives us an opportunity to do that."

Clubs winning second qualifying round ties receive £4,500 in prize money, something Gray admits is a factor in the way he views the competition.

"The FA Cup is very important because £4,500 is a lot of money at our level," he said. "There is also the chance to progress further, where the money is even higher. It gives us a good incentive to go forward."