JOHN Coventry believes Dulwich Hamlet will not be at a disadvantage when East Thurrock United face them tonight.

Rocks visit Imperial Fields to face Dulwich, who are playing their home games at the venue this season after being evicted from their home at Champion Hill by their landlords.

Coventry missed the opening game of the season against Woking as he was attending striker Sam Higgins’ wedding abroad.

He returns to the touchline tonight, but says he is already facing something of an injury crisis.

“I am without Higgo for another four games and we happen to have a very difficult start to the season,” said Coventry. “I started the season with 17 but I only have 13 as Ashley Miller (hamstring), Sammy Knott and Ben Marlow (both knee) are struggling.

“But I am pleased to be back and we are in for a tough test against Dulwich. Their fans will be at Tooting so it won’t be any different. I can only speak very highly of their fans as they were brilliant at the end of the play-off final (in 2016). They are a credit to their club.”

Despite being at Higgins’ wedding during Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Woking, Coventry was keeping up to date with events at Rookery Hill.

And while he says the defeat was a kick in the teeth, he says he is very pleased with the group he has assembled.

“I kept on top of it all and while I’d have been over the moon with a 0-0, losing was a real kick in the teeth,” he said. “We would have got a lot of confidence from that point but it wasn’t to be. I will say there were a lot of howlers in that game from the referee.

“But there are a lot of positives but it seems to me we have a good team spirit and that is worth points on its own. They have bonded and I am seeing more fight than in any group I have had for a while.”