GRAVESEND & Northfleet have strengthened their injury-hit squad with the loan signing of Dagenham & Redbridge centre-back Tim Cole.

With Fleet defenders Francis Duku, Aaron Barnett and Nick Burton out of the reckoning for the time being, club boss Andy Ford has brought in the versatile Cole, who can also play in midfield.

The move comes at the perfect time as Gravesend, whose injury list has been extended with a groin problem for striker Craig Wilkins, try to get back to winning ways when they play hosts to Doncaster Rovers tonight.

The Stonebridge Road outfit have collected just one point from their last three Conference games to sit just above the drop zone, while Doncaster have suffered a similar run of results after their boss Dave Penney was awarded the August manager of the month award.

Fleet assistant manager Phil Hanford said: “We need a result but we're capable of getting that tonight. We just have to be a little less naive.”

Gravesend (from): Wilkerson, Lee, Cole, Watts, Sturgess, Kwashi, Strouts, McKimm, Jackson, Sodje, Stadhart, Turner, Hatch, Parker, Booth.