Sam Denly is trying to strengthen Herne Bay’s injury-hit defence by the weekend.

Bay have problems at the back with Connor Sanders, Danny Walder, Liam Quinn, Joe Kennett and Gary Sayer all struggling.

Kennett (hamstring) has a chance of being fit for Bay’s Ryman League Division 1 South game at Greenwich Borough on Saturday but boss Denly holds out little hope for the others.

Denly said: “It’s pretty much our whole defence out. I don’t know what we’re going to do. Hopefully I’ll be able to get one or two players in before the weekend.

“If not, there might be a chance for the lads from the under-21s to stake a claim.

“Joe Kennett is going to train and if we can get him through that then he might be good to go but the others are struggling.”

Opponents Greenwich, managed by former Millwall striker Gary Alexander, spent heavily to win Southern Counties East last season.

Denly said: “They’re full of ex-pros and seem to have a lot of money but you have to embrace that. They’ve got decent players and it’ll be a good challenge for me and the players.”

It’s been a mixed week for Herne Bay. On Saturday they came from a goal down to beat Ashford (Middlesex) 3-1 in the FA Cup first qualifying round. Back in the league, they led Chatham 1-0 on Monday night but lost 3-2.

Denly said: “It was good to progress in the FA Cup. We were pretty sloppy in the first half but showed good character to come back. Monday night wasn’t good enough though.

"We dominated the first 20 minutes and should have been out of sight but we let Chatham back into it. It didn’t sit well with me at all. The players have got to take more responsibility.”