Folkestone have the Bostik Premier play-offs in their sights after a superb Christmas and New Year period.

Crippled by injuries and unavailability, Invicta picked up 13 of a possible 15 points from December.

They're were just three places and two points outside the top-five – their best position since September.

Manager Neil Cugley said: “From where we were to where we are now is all credit to the players.

“Hopefully now we can look to pick a team more on merit, have a stronger bench and see if we can get in the play-offs.

“I’ve never really had loads of injuries at Folkestone before. I’ve been lucky so I’m not moaning.

“Hopefully we’ll start getting some players back and have competition for places, not worrying about the phone ringing every five seconds or chasing up who we have or haven’t got.”

Scott Heard and Johan ter Horst are just back from injury but Ronnie Dolan remains out and Sam Hasler is still struggling.

The midfielder had his appendix out recently and still isn’t in a position to start games.

Cugley said: “Has is doing us a favour. He sat on the bench and we could have used him for five or 10 minutes but it’s not right.

“He’s a good lad and he knows we haven’t got anybody there so he comes along.

“The players are contracted and they know they’re being paid so they feel like they should contribute something but really they shouldn’t have to.

“Hasler’s situation is ongoing and he’s still not 100% fit.”

Defender Matt Newman has returned from honeymoon and is available for the visit of AFC Hornchurch on Saturday while striker Ian Draycott could also feature.

However, winger Kieron McCann needs a scan on his knee after suffering suspected ligament damage.

Hornchurch are hovering just above the relegation zone but Cugley knows they can’t be underestimated.

He said: “They looked a great side when we went up there. Maybe we weren’t so good then but they were very good.

“They were far too good for us on the night so we want to start showing we’ve improved.

“I thought they’d be a lot higher in the league with the players they’ve got. They’ve changed their manager since and he’ll be trying to get them up that league.

“It’ll be a tough test, like every game.

“You go to Burgess Hill and you’re quite pleased with a draw. In other leagues, you wouldn’t be because you think that’s points dropped so you know how tough a league it is.”