Declan Caddell insists he won't be pulling on the boots again despite Crusaders worsening injury crisis. Two years ago Caddell answered an SOS from then boss Stephen Baxter scoring the winner in the Irish Cup semi-final against Dungannon Swifts as the Crues went on to lift the trophy.

The Seaview outfit find themselves in a similar situation again with 10 players currently on the treatment table and another semi-final looming this evening as they face in-form Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup. Despite their injury woes the 36-year-old won't be playing a part on the pitch again as he said it's up to him to find solutions which will benefit the club's long term ambitions.

"There's no point feeling sorry for ourselves. We've been here before, I was brought out of retirement two years ago because of the same thing," said Caddell. "I did it the last time as a favour to Stephen Baxter.

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"It was always on the cards but I never thought it was going to happen. I'm not coming out to plug gaps now. If I had played against Dungannon would Josh Williamson have got his chance?

"He has a bright future ahead of him so you have to think not of the short term but long term and what's best for the club and our youth players to build them up and give them opportunities to push on. As I say there's no point feeling sorry for yourself, it's up to me to find solutions and it's up to the players to get over the line."

The injuries took their toll on Saturday as Dungannon Swifts thumped the Crues 5-1 while Glentoran had the day off after their game at Ballymena United was postponed because of the weather. "The Dungannon game was probably a game too far, now we have to use Monday night wisely to get them ready for the semi-final," said Caddell.

"We've 10 players out at the minute but the last thing I want to do is rush them back and risk further delay. It's about plugging holes at the minute and allowing ample time for those players to get fit again. It's been like this for the last month. We've had to alter our training and change everything we do on a Monday and a Thursday.

"We're recovering most of the time with the bodies we have. Glentoran will be glad their game was called off on Saturday, it gives them an extra few days to recover, but I think they've a full bill of health in their squad.

"It is what it is, these are the cards we've been dealt, we have to come up with a solution and find a way to go to The Oval and get a result. They are a team in form, a team full of confidence who have found a knack of winning games, so we're under no illusions it is going to be a tough game."

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