Devonshire Cougars have been hard hit by the injury bug.

Hot on the heels of Sunday?s league loss to Dandy Town ? their second of the season ? Cougars are in a frantic race to fill voids left by teh absence of several key players.

Players currently on the disabled list include the versatile Domico Coddington, Heys Wolfe, captain Kwame Steede, Aljame Zuill, ?keeper Ricardo Brangman, defenders Omar Butterfield, Ijahmon Mallory and Shawn Smith.

Back up ?keepers Lovintz Tota (cycle accident) and Dyke Lawrence (fractured ribs) are also sidelined through injury.

The defending Premier Division champions are away to Devonshire Colts this weekend and will place their Friendship Trophy title on the line against Dandy Town ? for the third time this season ? at Somerset Cricket Club on December 18.

?We might have a lot of players injured at the moment, but we will still field the strongest team we possibly can on Sunday,? stated a club source who spoke to on condition of anonymity.

In the midst of the injury crisis, Cougars have called on the services of a few players who have been missing of late. Big midfielder Mark Smith, utility player Ryan Swan and defender Galvin Butterfield have rejoined the squad in training and could be relied upon to fill the gaps.

?We have other players who can come and fill in,? the source added.

Cougars are keeping their fingers crossed Tota is fit enough to replace the injured Brangman between the posts on Sunday. Brangman injured his left shoulder thwarting Town?s Jared Peniston in the area during Cougars? recent home loss to Hornets.

They also hope to be back to full-strength before opening the defence of their Friendship title against Town.

?It?s still early in the season. We just have to get ourselves back on track and tighten things up because we know what we have to do from here. Even though we have lost twice we are only two points off the pace. We still have to carry on and get the job done. It?s all a part of the game.?