CANVEY Island will be ‘down to the bare bones’ when they make the short trip to Great Wakering Rovers for an eye-catching local derby tomorrow.

Goalkeeper Rob Budd, Elliott Warren, James White and Matt Lock are all doubts for the Isthmian North clash at Burroughs Park, while Lamar Johnson is away on international duty with St Lucia.

And, while he is working hard to sign an attacking youngster on loan ahead of the weekend, Gulls boss Mark Bentley will wait as long as possible before naming his starting line-up.

“We are going to be down to the bare bones for the game,” said Bentley.

“Rob is touch and go because he came off the pitch after our win over Brentwood Town in midweek with hamstring trouble.

“Elliott may have broken his toe and Whitey has got a problem with his ankle.

“Locky could also be out and all of them would be big losses.

“It’s a derby, so we know it will be one hell of a fight.

“I have challenged the players to pick up maximum points from the next four games and, although we may have injury problems, that target will not change.”

The Gulls are currently 11th in the Isthmian North standings, although they are playing catch-up following extensive runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

Wakering, meanwhile, are in the play-off places and Bentley is impressed with the start they have made to Steve Butterworth’s first full campaign in charge.

“They have got a good group of players at Wakering and Scouse (Butterworth) has recruited well,” added Bentley.

“We played them a couple of weeks ago in the Isthmian League Cup and they were solid in that game.

“The teams will be different this time around, but we know it will be a difficult game.”

While Wakering head into the derby five points better off than tomorrow’s visitors, player-manager Butterworth believes Canvey will be fighting for promotion come the end of the season.

“Canvey are in a false position and, if they win their games in hand, they could go up to third in the table,” said Butterworth.

“But we are at home so we will take the game to them and we will be looking for three points.

“They have had a lot of games lately and I know they have suffered a few injuries as well.

“Lamar Johnson is unavailable because of being away on international duty, so it might be a good time to play them.

“We need to make sure we take this opportunity.”