RYMAN PREMIER: Canvey Island’s John Easterford is targeting the perfect weekend – with three points on Saturday and becoming a first-time father on Sunday!

The Gulls vice-captain is hoping to play tomorrow when old rivals Grays Athletic visit the Prospects Stadium, but admits he may be forced to miss the game.

Easterford’s girlfriend Emma is due to give birth to their first child today but, as excited as he is to become a father, he hopes he can help Canvey to another three points over their rivals first.

The big centre-back has played 32 times for Canvey this season, more appearances than any other player, and he wants to continue Canvey’s fine recent run against a resurgent Grays outfit.

“The baby is due today so hopefully my missus can hold on until after the game,” smiled Easterford, 28. “It is really exciting and it will be my first child so it could be a weekend to remember – a win on Saturday and a new baby on Sunday.

“It is a local derby and players tend to find another level in local derbies so it is one we are looking forward to. But Grays are a very different side to the one we played in October. They have changed their management team and it will be a tough game for us.”

Canvey won 2-1 that day, but won only four of the next 15 games to leave them three points off the drop zone.

But, following that run Canvey are unbeaten in six and have one of the league’s in-form players in George Sykes – who has scored seven times in four games.

And Easterford said the recent clean-sheet at Dulwich Hamlet, Canvey’s first since October, had given him a boost.

“Dulwich was a massive day for us. We finally showed what we can do and every player was a minimum nine out of 10. And when you have players like George Sykes, Taylor Tombides and Jack Simmons in such good form you always have a chance.

“The clean sheet was important for the defence. Josh (Banton) has come in and done well and it means Jonesy (Mike Jones) can play in his preferred midfield position. It gives the team an extra dimension.

“The team were more than capable of pushing for the play-offs at the start of the season, but it hasn’t gone as planned. We have managed to pull away from the relegation places and we just want to pick up points now and see where it takes us.

“We aren’t looking over our shoulder anymore and it would be good to go on a run and give the fans something to cheer about before the season is out.”

lEnoch Showunmi and Dan King both face late fitness tests on injured groins. A win would see the 15th-placed Gulls climb above Grays in the league.