DARTFORD manager Gary Julians will be in the dugout for the FA Cup third qualifying round clash with Gravesend & Northfleet on Saturday, even though he has spent this week in hospital. Julians severed tendons in his wrist after putting his hand through his own car window before the home game with Rugby United on Tuesday.

However, despite being told he needs an operation on the deep gash the Darts boss insists he won’t miss the tie. Dartford chairman Dave Skinner confirmed: “I’ve spoken to Gary and he says that whatever happens he’ll be at the game on Saturday. And if necessary, he’ll sign himself out of hospital.”

The game at Stonebridge Road is one of those peculiar events when the away team is actually the home team with Fleet, who rent out their ground to Dartford, in the away dressing room while their tenants will be in the home dugout.

Gravesend manager Andy Ford admitted: “It’ll feel a bit strange being in the wrong dressing room but once the game starts it’ll be our pitch we’ll be playing on so that should help."

The match has more than local pride at stake too with a £10,000 bonus to the winners, plus the opportunity of one more game before a possible appearance in the FA Cup first round proper.

Ryman League, Premier Division leaders Gravesend will be strong favourites for the match but with both sides expecting to have good support the tie could go either way.

“The money is important because there’s a lot we can do with an extra £10,000,” Ford said. “I’m really pleased the FA have made this decision to pump a lot more money into the lower levels.”

He stressed: "It’s a classic cup tie of the bigger club against the smaller one. We know that on our day we should be too strong for them, but that’s on our day and it’s important to stress that. It’s not going to be easy.”

Fleet goalkeeper Jamie Turner comes back into the side after recovering from a shoulder injury, although on-loan stopper Adrian Blake isn’t available for selection anyway.

Ford, whose side’s winning streak came to an end on Tuesday night with a 2-0 defeat at Grays, will also be without Paul Booth after the striker injured knee ligaments in midweek.