Francis Vines insists Carshalton Athletic’s enforced lay-off this weekend is just what the doctor ordered after the new Robins boss earned the first win of his tenure last weekend.

A Craig Faulconbridge penalty was enough to give Carshalton a 1-0 win over fellow strugglers AFC Hornchurch in a game that saw Vines having to name two youth team players among his four substitutes.

And with the Robins already having been dumped out of the FA Cup, Vines is welcoming the unexpected rest.

He said: “Not only are we short on players at the moment but we are also suffering from injuries as well.

“So it is nice to be able to give the guys that have knocks a bit of tender loving care.

“When you have such a small squad you really have to look after them.

“If I had my way I would have 12 new players in by the time of our next game and although that won’t happen, I am confident that we will have some new faces.”

In a much-improved display Carshalton put their recent troubles behind them to see off Hornchurch in their Ryman Premier clash.

And Vines reckoned it was matters at the back that pleased him the most.

He added: “I was most happy with the clean sheet.

“When you come to a new club you always want to know your team can defend and then you can concentrate up front after that.

“It was not an easy game as some of the players had never even been to the club before.

“But I was very pleased with the performance.

“Yes we have won a game, but now we have to look to win our next game as well.

“Now it is all about looking forward.”

Carshalton Athletic’s next three matches: Oct 13 Waltham Abbey (h), 17 Aveley (FAT, a), 24 Cray Wanderers (a)