Steve Watt is doing his best to remain positive after Hythe were dealt another injury blow on Saturday.

Stand-in captain Frannie Collin became the latest player to face a spell on the sidelines when he pulled up with a calf problem during Saturday’s goalless home draw with Chichester.

Manager Watt says the Cannons have yet to discover how serious the issue is but he doubts the former Maidstone and Margate striker will be fit for the Isthmian South East game away to title-chasing Hastings on Saturday.

Watt is already without skipper Charlie Webster (ankle) and striker Stephen Okoh (cut heel) while Alex Flisher’s groin problem is still being monitored in case it’s something more serious.

The former Dartford man came on as a late substitute against Chichester but could not have started.

Watt explained: “We don’t know how bad Frannie’s calf injury is, but he definitely won’t be fit for Saturday.

“It just seems to be what’s happening at the moment but you have to do the best you can.

“Stephen tried his heel on Saturday but he just wasn’t comfortable, he was not moving right.

“Flish has an issue with his groin, he’s still waiting to get a scan so until we know exactly what the problem is we’re trying to manage it.”

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Saturday’s goalless draw with Chichester meant Hythe have scored just twice in their last five league and cup matches but Watt prefers to look at the positives.

He explained: “We’re not creating enough chances, or at least as many as I would like, but it was our third clean sheet in four league games only one of which we’ve lost (1-0 away to Sittingbourne).

“It was also the first time Chichester had dropped points away from home so that’s another positive for us.

“Even with the injuries I think we’re in a much better position than we were before I arrived, in terms of personnel and the way we’re defending. We just need to find our cutting edge.”

News of Webster’s injury is more hopeful than it was when he damaged his ligaments in a Velocity Trophy game against Ashford earlier this month.

Initial fears were that he might be out until the new year but it now looks likely he could return within the next month or so.

Midfielder Alex Brown – yet to start a game for Hythe – was also due to resume full training as of this week.

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