Tony Burman hopes several other injury doubts clear up before the Boxing Day clash at Welling (kick-off 1pm).

Danny Harris (knee), Lee Burns and Matt Jones (hamstring) and Lee Noble (ankle) were due to have treatment this week and 48 hours’ extra recovery time could prove crucial.

Burman (pictured) knows the importance of the two games against Welling – the sides meet again at Princes Park on January 2 – and both should attract four-figure gates.

He said: "They have done exceptionally well to be second and we are fourth after a reasonable first half of the season but have got to go there looking to get three points."

Burman took little consolation from the fact that three of the top five – including leaders Woking – all dropped points at the weekend, adding: "It just shows that you have to get on and do your own job.

"The league is proving similar to last year. Several clubs you expect to be up there are now getting into their stride – teams like Basingstoke, Chelmsford and Dover – who people have been writing off but, in my view, shouldn’t do so."