Boss Peter Nott says his Whitstable players have proved him wrong after their perfect start to the Ryman League, Division 1 South campaign, despite being in the midst of a selection crisis.

Nott (pictured) admits with six players out for the season-opener at Walton Casuals on Saturday and seven missing for Tuesday’s derby with Maidstone at the Belmont that he wondered how his side would fare.

However, following 3-2 and 2-0 wins, Nott’s side are sitting pretty ahead of the Bank Holiday weekend double header with Merstham on Saturday and at Folkestone on Monday.

Nott – who admitted to quiet satisfaction with the win over Maidstone, who sacked him last year – said: "I thought we’d have a difficult start because we had so many players out and then we go and end up with six points out of six, so the players have proved me wrong, which is great."

Nott added: "We can’t get carried away, it is early days. It is important to try and keep the run going."

Simmons went off with a tight hamstring on Tuesday and will be assessed but Ant Bodle, who departed with cramp, should be fit for Saturday.

Rob Lyall and Jermaine Darlington are back from holiday while Dan Wisker could return from injury. James Peacock, meanwhile, has completed a five-match ban.

Nott said: "We have people coming back if we need them but people will have to work their way back in."