CHORLEY boss Ken Wright is praying for an injury-free season -- but it doesn't look like he's going to get one!

The UniBond First Division side lost key players last season through injury and illness and some of those problems have carried on into this season.

Adam Critchley suffered ankle damage, Damian Corcoran was out with a cartliage injury, Neil Mitchell had knee surgery, Simon Kay played one game before a back injury ruled him out, Steve Hook was laid low by a chest infection and Michael Wallace was also out through ill-health.

Some of the players have recovered but Corcoran has just had an operation on his cartilage and Kay will miss at least the first few matches. And Critchley, whose ankle swells up after every game, is still suffering despite a summer's rest.

"We thought a rest might be what Critch needed," said Wright. "We have had scans done and it is just degeneration of the ankle. He has broken it in the past but he is too young, about 27 or 28, to be suffering from this.

"He has played some games in pre-season but it swelled up again so it looks like he is in line for a long rest and we'll see if it settles down."

Wright has also lost the services of Keith Evans, who has gone back to Salford City, Matt Swailes (St Helens) and Neil Matthews, who has retired due to a back problem.

He has signed striker Dave Sutch and former Bolton junior midfielder Noel Corrigan from Blackrod, striker Andy Mason (Leigh), midfielder Scott Bradford (Squires Gate) and former Blackpool junior defender Lee Molyneux (Daisy Hill).

He has also signed former Chorley and Southport defender Mark Schofield from Marine, a player he says has got 'bags of experience'.

If Chorley's injury problems clear up, Wright is confident, especially since the introduction of play-offs to the UniBond League.

"You have to be optimistic at the start of the season. If you're not, when can you be?

"I hope we have an injury-free season because we were plagued last year but it doesn't look like it's got much better this time."