Injury boost for Gulls’ Batch

11:40am Friday 5th September 2008

CANVEY Island soccer boss John Batch is happy to report that two of his injured first team stars, last season’s player of the year Andrew West and striker Leon Antoine, are nearing full fitness after spells out.

The duo are probably just one reserve runout away from a welcome return to action — and that’s good news for Batch during a particularly busy spell of the season.

“It’s a hectic three games in eight days schedule at the moment and we need as many players available as possible,” Batch explained.

“After tomorrow’s home game with Hendon we go to Harrow Borough on Tuesday before starting our FA Cup campaign the following Saturday here against Dunstable.”

Gulls expect to give a late fitness test to striker Ian Luck who was injured late on after coming on as a substitute in Tuesday’s thrilling 3-2 injury-time win over Tonbridge Angels at Park Lane.

Batch expects another tough struggle on home territory tomorrow and says: “Hendon might not have picked up too many results as yet, but I’ve looked at the quality of players they’ve got there and they’ll come good.

“In fact one thing we’re quickly learning on our return to the Premier is that there are no easy games at this level.

“To be honest we’re happy to have picked up as many points as we have at this stage.”

The Gulls are currently seventh in the table with 10 points from their six games, which have seen them win three, draw one and lose two.