GRAVESEND & Northfleet captain Steve McKimm is set to bolster the club's attempts to put successive defeats behind them when Exeter visit Stonebridge Road on Saturday.

McKimm missed Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Burton with a back injury but manager Andy Ford hopes to have him available to face Steve Perryman’s side, even though he has been unable to train this week.

But Ford would not be drawn on whether Jay Saunders will make an immediate return following Saturday’s absence caused by a one-match suspension.

“Steve woke up with a back problem on Saturday morning which forced me to leave him out at Burton,” said Ford. “Back problems can be difficult but I’m hoping he will be fit to face Exeter. As for Jay, we’ll have to wait and see.”

The Fleet won last season’s corresponding league fixture 3-2 and also knocked Exeter out of the FA Cup.

Ford, who is keen to stem the flow of goals against, said: “It’s disappointing to score two away from home and lose, as we did at Burton.

“But it’s important to remember that we’ve suffered two setbacks, that’s all. I don’t get carried away when we win and equally I won’t get down when we lose.”

He admitted: “Clubs have come to know our strengths and it’s down to us to try and overcome that and surprise teams. Let's not forget that we've done well so far this season and we'll continue to have a good season.”