INJURIES continued to mount for Nottingham Rugby as David Jackson has been ruled out for up to 12 weeks.

The Green and Whites' run of seven games unbeaten came to an abrupt halt at Plymouth Albion last Saturday when their depleted side lost 31-25.

As they prepare for their top-of the-table clash with Championship leaders Exeter Chiefs at Welford Road on Saturday (4.15pm), director of rugby, Glenn Delaney, has been spending a lot of time on the phone looking for additions to his squad.

"I've literally been on the phone full-time trying to beg, borrow and steal," he said. "So, hopefully, I can get some players in."

Nottingham were without the services of dual-registered players Calum Green, Dan Hemingway, Tom Youngs and Greig Tonks for the Plymouth game as they were recalled by Leicester Tigers who are having their own player crisis because of injuries and international call-ups.

Before last weekend, Nottingham already had long-term injuries in Matt Parr (broken arm) and Ian Nimmo (broken leg).

Jackson missed the Green and Whites' previous game against Coventry because of a bang on the neck and made his return to action at Brickfields. But he has now been ruled out for up to 12 weeks with a broken foot.

The bad news got worse when ex-England international centre Ben Johnston also became a casualty on Saturday as he sustained ligament damage to his knee. He is looking at between six and eight weeks on the side lines.

Rohaan Nirmalendran also took a worrying knock to the neck, which caused him to be carried off on a stretcher. He is still under examination by the club's medical staff.

Luke Sherriff is still recovering from a shoulder injury sustained against Bedford and Phil Eggleshaw, who has a back injury, but both are hoping to be available for this weekend's clash against Exeter.

The Chiefs are unbeaten this season and Delaney knows Saturday will be one tough battle.

"It's going to be a real humdinger," he said. "It will be a tough, tough game for us, that's for sure. But out of adversity, we have always been pretty good.

"It will be the hardest test we face because Jonno (Ben Johnston) and I are having to get a group of players together who haven't played a massive amount of rugby and get them ready for absolute titanic struggle. It's going to be a test and a half."