The depth of the Paget Lions squad will be tested, as they could be without five key players for the Shield Trophy final against Southampton Rangers on New Year’s Day.

Julian Carpenter and Tahjae Welch are suspended after receiving red cards in the semi-final win over Wolves, while Dion Stovell, Tahj Wade and Kian Butterfield are off the island.

The First Division leaders showed plenty of resolve in pulling off an unlikely victory over Wolves after going down to nine men in the second half. They managed to hold on at 2-2 to force the match into extra time when they netted twice to seal a 4-2 win.

Christmas trips by the three players have left Paget under strength and it would appear they face an even bigger task against a still unbeaten Rangers side, who sit third in the table.

Rangers will be without defender Jahkai Hill, who is serving a ban after his red card against BAA in the semi-final on Boxing Day.

Robert Lee, the Paget coach, is also still off the island, although he is likely to return for the final. Mike Stovell, the Paget manager and stand-in coach, remains confident that Paget will be competitive despite the absence of influential players.

“The trips were prearranged, so you can’t knock them for taking a trip with their families,” Stovell said. “I don’t know if they can make it back. If they don’t, we will pretty much go with the team you saw on Wednesday night, with two replacements.

“This is going to be a highly anticipated game, with a lot of emotion. We’re going down there to compete. The heart of the lion will carry us through.”

It seemed as though Wolves would capitalise on their numerical advantage and hand Paget only their second loss of the season. However, Paget dug deep to seal the win with two extra-time goals through Demarlo Curtis and Robert Richardson.

“I give the team high praise; the buzz in the neighbourhood is tremendous,” Stovell said. “We saw people there at the game that we haven’t seen since 2006 when we were last in the Premier Division.”

Paget won the Shield when they gained promotion in 2005-06. They are now pushing for the double again, as they bid to return to the top flight.

“Tahj and Dion are two of our key players, but with what we pulled off [in the semi-finals], I think we will still be good in the final,” Stovell said.

Rangers picked up six players from Paget during the late transfer period, while Y-Ron Astwood went in the opposite direction before transferring back to Paget. He is injured after a bike accident.