STRIKERS can be worth their weight in gold and Debenham Leisure Centre manager Mel Aldis is only too aware of this.Since ace marksman Stuart Jopling twisted his knee on Boxing Day, Debenham have slipped down the Ridgeons League, Premier Division table and have failed to score in four of their last five games.

Elvin King

STRIKERS can be worth their weight in gold and Debenham Leisure Centre manager Mel Aldis is only too aware of this.

Since ace marksman Stuart Jopling twisted his knee on Boxing Day, Debenham have slipped down the Ridgeons League, Premier Division table and have failed to score in four of their last five games.

They travel to Norwich United tomorrow looking to end a run of five consecutive defeats, with Aldis saying: “It can't be a coincidence that our goal tally has slumped since Stuart took a knock.

“He should be back next weekend.

“We haven't had the run of the ball recently, but they say luck evens itself out and we had our share of good fortune earlier in the campaign.”

It is not just Jopling that Aldis has missed after a flying start to life at this level after promotion last term.

Kevin Barker has been out since October and Dean Sadler since November. Dave Cannon and Danny Allen have joined the injury list and Paddy Turley is now enlisted in the Royal Navy.

On top of this front man Ben Deacon has moved on to Mildenhall Town with Aldis explaining: “Ben received an offer from a club that could be in the top six, and I couldn't stand in his way.

“We have ambitions to remain a Premier League club but to achieve this on a stable footing. Ben is an up-and-coming player and we wish him well.

“I'm satisfied with what we've achieved since promotion and losing nine points through the demise of King's Lynn Reserves and Harwich has not helped our cause.

“Losing players has given me a chance to look at what else I've got and see who can cut it.”

Aldis has brought in striker Craig Simpson from Stanton although he is to continue playing for the Kingsley Healthcare SIL First Division club at weekends.