Ashford have their fingers crossed for Danny Parish after the in-form striker went off injured on Tuesday night.

Parish has scored seven goals since rejoining the Nuts & Bolts from Canvey Island in December, including a last-minute winner in a 2-1 victory at Isthmian South East promotion rivals Beckenham on Saturday.

But he went down with a hamstring injury after three minutes of the midweek goalless draw with Corinthian, leading to an early introduction for new signing Emmanuel Oluwasemo, the former Faversham and Margate forward.

Parish will be assessed at training tonight (Thursday), with Ashford hosting Littlehampton on Saturday (3pm).

“We’ll find out more on Thursday,” said manager Tommy Warrilow, who also handed a start to midfielder Cameron Brodie, who’s joined on loan from Dartford.

“It didn’t look very good but I’m hoping he’s not too bad.

“It’s annoying and frustrating as a manager when you’re bringing players in and then you get another injury but it’s one of those things. We can’t feel sorry for ourselves.

“We had that fantastic high at Beckenham on Saturday but that’s football. You can’t get carried away.

“The idea was for Dan to come back, enjoy his football, work hard and bang in some goals. That’s what he’s done.

“He’s going to be a miss for any side but, fingers crossed, he’s not too bad.”

Ashford, who were already missing Johan ter Horst, rested as a precaution after feeling his hamstring at Beckenham, turned to new man Oluwasemo after Parish’s injury.

He missed a big late chance to win the match but it was an encouraging debut, while Brodie also did well, with the signings announced before the game.

“Manny scored 15 goals for Faversham last season,” said Warrilow, whose side have climbed back to up to fifth.

“He’s gone on to Margate and Bowers & Pitsea, in the league above.

“He hasn’t played for a little while, so I didn’t want to introduce him as quick as we did but needs must.

“I felt for him at the end - he was gutted he didn’t put that header away - but I was well happy with his overall performance and he can be happy with how we played.

“Cameron’s one we tried to get on loan last season before he went to Sittingbourne. He’s highly thought of at Dartford, so he’s a good one to get on board for us.

“We also gave a start to Kie Douglas, who only joined recently, and Djean Spenser, who’s another new boy and is skilful and very pacy.

“That’s a lot of new faces again, so you could understand if we were a bit disjointed at times, but that could turn out to be a very good point for us.

“I was dreading playing Corinthian - they’re good at what they do - but that’s five unbeaten now.”

There’s good news for Ashford, with Rhyle Ovenden closing in on a comeback after more than a year out with a knee injury.

The midfielder, who last played against Faversham on New Year’s Day 2022, is back in training and looking good.

He’s likely to get some action on dual-registration before turning out for the Nuts & Bolts.

“Rhyle’s not a million miles away,” said Warrilow.

“He’s looked unbelievable in training but when you’ve been out that long you fully understand he’s got to be 100% happy when he dips his toe back in the water.

“We want him back like yesterday but there’s no way I’m putting any pressure on him.

“I’ve had nigh-on a season out with a knee injury myself, so I know what his mindset will be, and it’s the third time he’s done his knee.

“We’re aware the games are running out. There’s 10 to go and if we could get him back, say, for the last seven or eight, he’d be a fantastic addition.

“You’ll never meet a more professional lad than Rhyle.”