Steve Lovell has reported mixed news on the injury front for Herne Bay after a free weekend.

Bay had been scheduled to face Chichester at Bognor’s ground on Sunday, only for the Isthmian South East match to fall victim to the weather.

They had also been due to visit rivals Hythe on Wednesday. But, with the Cannons’ weekend FA Trophy tie at home to Whitehawk called off, that fixture was rearranged for Tuesday evening, which means Bay’s Kent derby at Reachfields will be played at a later date.

Boss Lovell was set to be without several key personnel against Chichester who now should return.

He revealed: “One player was away on Sunday. Sam German was recalled by Bromley on Friday ahead of their Trophy game on Saturday.

“Tom Hanfrey would have missed Sunday but he should be back now. Archie Burnett is close to playing, as well, so Gil Carvalho is one of the only long-term injuries.

“If not for Ramsgate (on Boxing Day), Gil should be ready for the New Year’s games.”

While defender German was recalled by the National League Ravens - an unused substitute in their 1-0 FA Trophy triumph against Slough - Bay hope to have him back in time for this weekend’s home game against Horndean.

Lovell said: “Hopefully, he will be available against Horndean on Saturday.

“He’s enjoyed it with us, he really has. He has done well.

“Bromley were not afraid of playing him on Saturday. He never got on in the end - but it’s nice that they’re thinking of him.

“He’s very level-headed and professional and will have a good future ahead of him.”

But, even without playing in a game, forward Jack Richards’ injury nightmare has continued.

“Jack Richards has hurt his ankle again,” explained Lovell. “He will be out for a while.”

The former Maidstone and Margate man has made just eight appearances since he joined the club in the summer, the latest of which was on October 28 and three of those off the bench.

He’s unlikely to add to that tally any time soon.

Lovell added: “Jack has been so unlucky with injuries. I was going to play him on Sunday but he got injured at training on Thursday.”

Across the division, only two games went ahead at the weekend, one of those on Sheppey United’s artificial surface.

And Lovell said: “In our league, particularly, it just shows it’s worth getting 3G pitches.

“It just shows their benefit for smaller clubs.”

Bay had played more league fixtures than most of their rivals until recently so Lovell isn’t unduly worried about postponements.

“It evens itself out at the end of the day,” suggested Lovell.

“There’s teams now that have played more games than us. We’re not far off points-wise in terms of the play-offs.

“That’s got to be our aim. There’s a lot of games to go so we just need to stay in close proximity to the top five positions.”

Bay were 4-2 winners over mid-table Horndean in Hampshire in September - but won’t take them lightly as they aim to complete the double.

Lovell said: “If you look at a lot of the results in our division, you cannot judge them, really.

“Everybody seems to be capable of beating everyone else.

“Lancing have had a couple of good results and East Grinstead went on a good run. A lot of teams are still there or thereabouts.

“Hythe did well last year to get into the play-offs. They came into it with a late run. There’s a lot of teams pushing to finish in the top five.

“We just want to pick up as many points as we can over the Christmas period and then see where we are.”