MARGATE manager Chris Kinnear faces an injury crisis in the build up to Saturday's home game against Northwich Victoria.

Long-term absentees Jean Michele Sigere and Ian O'Connell are still not ready to return while Terry McFlynn and Greg Oates are not fit. With John Keister and Jay Sanders suspended, Kinnear is down to the bare bones.

Club chairman Jim Parmenter commented: "We think we can muster a team, but I'm taking my boots just in case. I am absolutely confident that the spirit in the camp will see us through to our first home victory despite the squad being depleted."

Margate won at Halifax last Saturday, courtesy of a Sam Sodje goal, but their miserable home form continued with a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Barnet in the Conference at Crabble on Tuesday night.

A 67th minute goal by Barnet's Giuliano Grazioli, the league’s leading scorer, stole the show on Tuesday evening.