PHC Zebras striker Dennis Russell is now in a race to regain match fitness ahead of his team's crucial Martonmere Cup semi-final clash with North Village next Tuesday night at the Den.

The burly footballer bruised his lower back during Zebras' recent 2-1 home loss to Dandy Town when he landed awkwardly after colliding with Hornets 'keeper Mikkial Crockwell chasing a loose ball in the box.

Russell was immediately substituted following the injury and his departure seemed to have an adverse effect on his team-mates who faded late in the match to allow Hornets to snatch victory from under their noses.

"It was a very scary moment, the way he landed on his back. I was just relieved when I saw him get back on his feet and walk back to the bench," said Zebras assistant coach Jack Castle.

Russell didn't train with the Warwick-based club earlier this week. However, Castle remained optimistic his striker would shake off his injury before Zebras take on a Rams side they thrashed 7-1 on the way to winning a fifth Charity Cup in their eighth appearance in the traditional season-opener.

"We are hoping Dennis will be back out to train with us tomorrow," Castle added.

Zebras have impressed in cup competition so far but have not enjoyed the best of starts to their league title defence. And Castle is mindful his team cannot afford any further slip-ups at this early stage of the season if they are to make a strong claim for league honours.

"We just need to make a few adjustments here and there because a lot is expected of this team at PHC. We haven't been playing too badly, we just need to start capitalising on our chances," said Castle.

Zebras had ample chances to put the match beyond Hornets' reach last weekend but failed to cash in whenever opportunity knocked. And the loss of goalscorer Russell only made matters worse.

"We have been able to keep possession of the ball for long periods but have not been able to create as many chances as I would like to see," added Castle. "Who knows . . . it could be a mental thing. But I'm confident we will bounce back because we at PHC have a winning attitude."

Castle believed last week's defeat to Town might have served as the wake-up call Zebras needed to get their league campaign back on track.

"What that showed is that things are not going to be easy for us this season. Everybody is going to come gunning for us because we are the champions," he said.

"We just have to work on a few things in training to try and regain the chemistry that made us so successful last season.

"But PHC can take their wins with their losses. And I'm sure we will weather the storm and go on from there."