GORNAL Athletic will have three defenders missing on Saturday for what boss Ian Rowe has labelled ‘another massive game’ at Dunkirk.

Callum Martin, Mark Willetts and Chris Waterhouse are all unavailable this weekend.

The Nottinghamshire side have started the season well and are unbeaten in the Midland Alliance, with a good win coming in the FA Cup.

But Rowe is not unhappy with his own side’s start after a 4-0 cup win over Malvern came after an excellent 5-2 win over fancied Westfields in their first home league game on Tuesday night.

The goals against Westfields came from Chris Waterhouse, Calum Martin , Pete Wood, Marvin Nisbett and Ravi Sangha.

A Sangha brace and one apiece for Nisbett and Mike Perks accounted for Malvern.

Gornal now face Coventry Sphinx at home in the next round, though Rowe was more concerned about the planned game at Continental Star being called off because of their cup replay this week.

He said: “It will give us a chance to work on a few things. But there is no substitute for playing, particularly after the last two games.

“Our spirit carried us through in the second-half against Westfields.

“They gave us a tough game, which is why I was even more delighted with the result after the opening day defeat (at Rocester).

“Missing three players against Dunkirk will be difficult but we have the squad to cope.”

On the FA Cup, Rowe said the game against Coventry would be massive for the club.

He said: “Every game is big for us at this level because it’s the first time we have been here.

“But with the FA Cup you can get national attention, and obviously there is prize money involved.

“So it cannot be overstated how important these games are.”

Gornal are at home to Bridgnorth Town next Tuesday (7.45pm).