Barnet are facing a striker shortage for the trip to Stevenage on Saturday after Martin Allen revealed John Akinde, Michael Gash and Matt Stevens were unavailable.

Akinde missed last weekend’s goalless draw against Carlisle United with a tight hamstring. On Monday Allen said the striker would be fit to face Boro after his contract was extended by a year.

However, the Barnet head coach today went back on that and told the club’s website: “We’ve got a few players missing for this game.

“John Akinde failed a fitness test this morning, Michael Gash isn’t fit and Matt Stevens is ill so he isn’t available.

“Michael Nelson and Graham Stack are also still unavailable to play.

“We’ve got quite a few forwards missing. Obviously with Aaron McLean and Kevin Lisbie leaving we’re a little bit short.

“But after this weekend we’ve got a break, so hopefully we’ll get the injured players back for the away game at Newport County in a couple of weeks’ time.”

Gash was also suffering with a tight hamstring last weekend but managed 58 minutes before being substituted.

If all three miss out Allen would be left with Shaun Batt as the only senior striker available to him.

The former Leyton Orient attacker completed 90 minutes in the league for the first time since December 2014 last weekend.

He came through a full game against Southend United in a Development Team friendly last Tuesday and Allen said he would wrap the 28-year-old up in cotton wool ahead of this weekend.

It is worth noting, though, that Allen has been economical with the truth when giving team news in the past. For that reason it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Akinde and Gash involved at Broadhall Way tomorrow.