Ian Cox will line up against the club which launched his career this weekend when Whitstable look to extend their historic FA Trophy run.

The former Gillingham player, who went to the 2006 World Cup with Trinidad & Tobago, is available for the Oystermen’s third qualifying round tie at Ryman League Premier Division side Carshalton Athletic.

Cox left the Robins to join Crystal Palace for £40,000 in 1994 before going on to play for Burnley, Bournemouth, the Gills and Maidstone.

Whitstable manager Nicky Southall, a former team-mate of Cox, persuaded the 42-year-old to come out of retirement in the summer.

He said: “Ian started there 25 years ago so he’s going back to his old club, which he never thought he’d do. It’s a nostalgic story because he’s got family down there.

“He’s got great experience at the back and his leadership qualities are second to none, so it will give our players a real boost when they line up with him in the tunnel.”

Whitstable are playing in the third qualifying round for the first time in their history. They have already knocked out Sittingbourne, Potters Bar and Hythe, banking £8,450 in prize money.

Charlie Smith (away) and James Morrish (suspended) are both missing for the trip to Surrey but Adam Hooper, Craig Maguire and Laurence Harvey return after injury.

Whitstable have re-arranged their Kent Senior Cup quarter-final tie against Maidstone, at the Belmont, for Tuesday (7.45pm) after it was postponed this week due to a waterlogged pitch.