And with Jake Speight already sidelined with a knee injury and Daryl Clare out on loan at Gateshead, it leaves manager David Holdsworth stretched in the striker department.

"I have to be honest, I don't think Kyle is going to make it," he said.

"He picked up a slight thigh strain on Saturday and we brought him off as we didn't want to make it worse with the busy Christmas period ahead.

"He came in yesterday and there seems to be a slight tear and he certainly won't train today. So I can't see him being fit to play tomorrow.

"Jake is already out and may need a scan on his knee, knowing his past problems, and Gary Mills is back in today but has been ill on top of his hamstring strain so may struggle to be ready. So, although I am very happy with my squad, we are a bit stretched at the moment.

"It is going to be a case of putting square pegs in round holes at times."

Holdsworth said he was unable to recall Clare, who followed up a two-goal burst last week, with a hat-trick for BSP rivals Gateshead at the weekend.

"I have asked the question twice now but because we agreed to a long term loan we can't bring him back," said Holdsworth. "But no one is more delighted than me that he is back to scoring goals and I was probably the first to contact him and congratulate him on Saturday.

"He is playing games and scoring goals which is what we both wanted. Lee Gregory also scored six for Glapwell at the weekend which bodes well for the future."

Former Football League rivals Luton are just a point behind the Stags and breathing down their necks. The Hatters came from behind to beat Mansfield 4-1 at Kenilworth Road earlier in the season and have won their last five away games on the bounce, the last three without conceding.

Although unbeaten in seven BSP games, Stags have been held at home twice in succession, Eastbourne Borough the latest side to nick a point in the wind and rain on Saturday.

"I have looked back at the DVD of Saturday and we were all right really but didn't have that bit of good fortune," said Holdsworth.

"In the wind and rain and the way Eastbourne set up we had to bypass the midfield in the first half as they were marking our full backs and stopping them from getting the ball.

"It was like a tennis match at times. And losing Kyle was a huge factor.
"But we had the better of the chances and on another day might have got all three points."

He added: "I understand why teams like Eastbourne come here and try to stop us playing.

"But I think it will be different tomorrow as Luton will come here and want to play a football match.

"They won't just be coming for a clean sheet and the hope of nicking a win. So it will probably be more open and hopefully will be a good game with a good atmosphere.

"I expect they will bring a few and their fans really got behind them at home which I hope our fans will do for us tomorrow night.

"It is very tight at the top though Oxford have set the standards and all credit to them. It is always imporatnt to try to get back into the League at the first attempt and Luton have the right set up and are a big club at this level.

"But there are a number of ex-League clubs down here and no one has any given right to get back up."