NEVILLE Roach admits that his latest hamstring injury has left him as a frustrated spectator as he has to watch his team-mates from the sidelines.

Live-wire Roach (pictured above) has missed the last two Town fixtures because of his predicament - which is one the skilful striker knows only too well.

He said: "I've always had trouble with my hamstrings. It's something I've had to put up with throughout my career.

"It's annoying because I always want to play - and sometimes I do when I shouldn't and the hamstring isn't right - when the only real cure is rest.

"So it's a bit of a vicious circle. I hoped I would stay clear of it this season, but this time it's happened just as I felt that I was getting back my sharpness and scoring more regularly."

That analysis is one his manager, Ernie Howe, agrees with.

He said: "Roachy has been looking more like his old self this season. His hamstring injury is just one of those things where you have to wait and see how it responds to rest and treatment."

Until the injury jinx struck him down again, 25-year-old Roach had been enjoying a good two months among the goals.

In September he scored five in four consecutive games - netting two against Newport County and singles against Havant, Grays and Weymouth.

Then, in October, he bagged another four after scoring against AFC Newbury, a brace at Cambridge in the 2-1 victory and one versus St Albans.

His overall return of 10 so far is one he is far happier with, after the "disappointments of last season" when he only scored 15 from 44 games.

Roach said he is hopeful of making a return soon, but, in his absence, Howe has deployed Cristian Levis and Gary Haylock up front alongside battler Martin Whiddett.

When asked if he felt those separate combinations were compatible, Howe said: "I don't think Gary is 100 per cent match fit yet, so it's not quite fair to judge at this stage.

"He could have scored before his opening goal for us, against Havant, and I know he's been a bit disappointed with his form so far. But he does give us something else in terms of experience and communication skills."

On Saturday, in the 2-1 win over Bognor, it was Levis who left his customary right-wing slot to move forward, scoring the second to bring his seasonal tally to 10.

Howe said: "Roachy and Martin have been a good pairing for us as they are two different styles of player who score different types of goals.

"Cristian will argue that he's been played up front where he prefers and scored again, but he still isn't playing at his best and I think he is better on the right.

"There have been injuries, but he hasn't had a full 90 minutes for two months now and that's a concern. There have been outside influences distracting him and he's been warned he needs to improve."

But his forward line is not Howe's main problem at the moment. He is still desperately seeking a left-sided midfielder after Stuart Tanfield's departure.

Stuart Cash's shock resignation as boss of St Albans after just one week in charge could lead to a renewed bid to sign Ben Walsh.

Town recently put in a seven-day approach for him, but the player turned any move down, preferring to give himself another month at St Albans under a new manager.

Howe said: "I'm not sure whether the situation has changed now, but we will pursue it again and see."