Herne Bay go into Saturday’s FA Cup Kent derby against Tonbridge Angels with their confidence boosted by back-to-back league wins.

But the latest of those victories, the 2-1 success over South Park on Tuesday night, came with a potentially heavy cost after Stuart King, Ben Brown and Jordan Casey all picked up injuries which could rule them out of the first qualifying round tie at Longmead Stadium.

Bay manager Sam Denly said: “Ben is almost definitely out after having his foot stamped on, Stuart is probably out as well with a groin strain and Jordan is 50/50 with a hamstring.”

The loss of King’s predatory skills up front will be the biggest blow. King scored the opening goal against South Park, taking his tally for the new campaign to seven.

Denly said: “Kingy has been superb so far this season and we can’t really replace him. But I have said all along there is no pressure on us on Saturday.

“We’ll go up there and enjoy the occasion and have a go. If we come away with anything, then it will have been great day for the club.”

After struggling last season, Tonbridge have made a much better start this time around and Tuesday’s 4-1 home win over Canvey Island lifted them to eighth in the Ryman League, Premier Division.

Denly said: “I had a couple of people watching them on Tuesday and they told me they are a decent side but that’s not something that I didn’t know already.

“It will be a big test but these are the sort of games you want to be involved in as a player and a manager. We are looking forward to it.

“The performances in the last two matches have been pleasing and we want to carry that on.”