Hornchurch v Margate

MARGATE have been hit by a flu bug ahead of the Nationwide South trip to Hornchurch on Saturday.

Boss Chris Kinnear, John Keister and Greg Oates are affected and missed training on Wednesday.

Che Stadhart hopes to recover from a dead leg picked up playing for the FA Xl in the Isthmian league centenary game at Dulwich on Monday night, while midfielder Pat Gradley is also doubtful after suffering a recurrence of his recent knee injury during a five-a-side work out.

Assistant Manager Kevin Raine: said: "Greg turned up to train but we sent him home, John phoned in ill, while Chris has been ill all week. However he still hopes to be there at the weekend.

"It's a case of waiting and seeing who reports fit but it's a shame because we were looking forward to having a full bench."

Ross Smith is back from a trip to native Canada for family reasons, and new boy Eseyas Yhdego could also figure in the squad for the first time. The 22 year old midfielder has had spells with Conference clubs Farnborough and Stevenage.

Kinnear watched Hornchurch lose 5-1 at leaders Grays in the Essex derby on Saturday. They were runaway leaders earlier this season, before losing their major backer. Now managed by former Hendon boss Tony Choules, they have dropped out of the play-offs, and are now sixth, only nine points ahead of 16th placed Margate.

Kevin Raine spoke to KM-fm sports editor Simon Watts about the current problems...