CANVEY Island's hopes of making the play-offs will become clearer after tonight's visit to AFC Sudbury.

The clash represents a tough midweek journey for John Batch's men against hosts lying second in the table but, if they can return with all three points, the Gulls will move level on points with a Ware side currently filling the final play-off position.

If Batch's men lose, even victory in their last three games may not be enough to earn them a spot in the promotion mix.

The Islanders just missed out last term and Batch has done a superb job in getting so close again in a season where the club have been particularly hard-hit by injuries.

Tonight, Gulls should be strengthened by the return of club captain Craig Davidson who missed Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bury Town due to a work commitment at SEEVIC College.

But it is also a vital game for Sudbury as the Suffolk side are the only club with a realistic chance of challenging current leaders Dartford for the title and sole automatic promotion spot.

But to do so they desperately need three points this evening. Sudbury won the corresponding game with Gulls 1-0 at Park Lane last month.