GRAVESEND & Northfleet will be without a number of regular first team players through injury for Saturday's trip to Tamworth.

They include Graham Porter (calf), Jimmy Jackson (shin splints), Lee Protheroe (groin), Manny Omoyinmi and Roy Essandoh (both hamstring).

But skipper Steve McKimm came through a reserve clash at home to Redbridge on Monday night – scoring a goal in the 1-1 draw – and should be back.

New keeper James Pullen, signed from Peterborough last week, should be on the bench for the match.

Manager Andy Ford is looking to his team to drag themselves out of their current slump.

Fleet have lost five of their last six games in a period that has seen them drop five places to ninth in the Conference and crash out of the FA Cup at the fourth qualifying round stage.

But the team are coming off a bye week and Ford is hopeful that the break will have done them good.

He said: "It’s fair to say we are in a bit of a slump and we need to get back to winning ways.

"Tamworth are a side that have got stronger from last year and we know we will have a battle on our hands to get a result there. They also have a vociferous crowd there."