Dartford are facing a full-back shortage with the new season just over a week away.

Summer signing Danny Fitzsimons is out long-term with a knee injury, while Lee Burns is 4,000 miles away on the Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean.

Right-back Burns was due back from his work trip weeks ago but he’s been unable to fly home, while former Luton left-back Fitzsimons only featured in the Darts’ first two pre-season friendlies.

Manager Tony Burman confirmed: "Danny’s not had good news. His knee’s a little bit more serious than we thought and it looks like he might be out for some time.

"Lee’s stuck there and it’s not ideal. He might have to come in and go out on loan, I don’t know. His general fitness is fine but match fitness, you don’t know.

"There’s nothing we can do about it because he’s literally stuck on an island."

Academy graduate Ronnie Vint can play at right-back but Burman is looking at other options ahead of the season-opener at Hemel Hempstead next Saturday.

Ex-Gillingham player Marvin Hamilton and Luton defender Mark Onyemah started on the right and left respectively as Dartford beat VCD 2-0 in their final friendly on Tuesday night.

Burman said: "Marvin has come and had a couple of games for us. He’s a player that we know and he’s got experience. He might just come and help and see how things go.

"Mark is at Luton but John (Still) has allowed me to let him have a game and play. I think he’s done well. He’s only 19 and he’s another good prospect."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.