CHIPPENHAM Town boss Steve White won't be pushing the panic button despite seeing his side end a potentially money-spinning FA Trophy run and being reduced to just 11 fit players.

White had only 11 senior players and two youth team members available for Tuesday night's replay at Basinstoke , which is why he has registered himself as a player in case more disaster strikes.

Chippenham face a crucial relegation game against fellow strugglers Welling at Hardenhuish park on Saturday and White will be thumbing his contacts book in a bid to bring someone in before then.

He said: "We need more punch in forward positions and we're working hard to see how we can put that right, either by bringing in some more lads or using the players we have here. But I'm very pleased again with the effort the boys put in.

"In the three games I watched before I took over we were dead and buried before half time. At Merthyr Tydfil we were 2-0 at half time and it was game over. But in both games we have played the boys have stuck at it and showed they can compete.

"We have cut the goal ratio right down, from conceding three a game to one, which is very positive. What we need now is that cutting edge and more forward position to pose a decent threat to the opposition's goal."

The former Swindon Town goal-scoring machine, 44, signed a playing registration form last week but it was not processed in time for the FA Trophy games. He would be eligible to play on Saturday though and could name himself on the bench.

But White, who last played competitively for Bath City more than three years ago, said he would only put his boots back on in the event of an emergency.

"It's just in case any unforeseen emergencies crop up," he said. "The players I have here can do a much better job than me and they are 20 years younger than me."

White insists he will not be signing anyone he has not personally watched play. He has been inundated with dozens of recommendations, including Devizes Town's Steve Campbell.

After his team's 1-0 defeat at the hands of Basingstoke in the replay White praised the efforts of crowd favourite striker Adie Mings, but added that the injury crisis has left the team short of forward thrust.

He said he has not watched Campbell in action yet, but did not rule out the possibility of a visit to Nursteed Road.

White revealed he has also made enquiries about the availability of players to several professional clubs within Chippenham's catchments area.

But he added that he is impressed with the talent available at the club and is delighted with the improvement in the performance of the players he has available.

The club had been hoping for a cup run to bring in much-needed cash. It made a £30,000 deficit last year and has already had to sell striker Matt Rawlins to yate for £5,000.

White said he was disappointed about Chippenham's cup exit, but said it is now time for the team to roll up their sleeves and concentrate on climbing back up the table.

Town are rock bottom with 14 points from 20 games, four points behind Saturday's opponents Welling.

White said his job as manager is to motivate the players and he is confident if they continue to show him the passion and commitment they have in training and on the pitch so far the Bluebirds will get the right results.

"We showed over two games we were able to match a physical mid-table side in the Ryman League, which is comparable to ours," he said.

"What we need now is results in the league and we're all looking for wins to lift us off the bottom of the table. Three points against Welling is what we need to start the ball rolling. I'm disappointed to be out of the cup, but that's history now."