Maidstone v AFC Hornchurch

MAIDSTONE may have to field injured players for tonight's Ryman League Premier Division clash with AFC Hornchurch at Bourne Park.

An already dire situation was worsened when skipper Ben Lewis was told he needed a three-week lay-off after a scan.

Mario McNish (hamstring) limped out of Saturday's defeat at home to Canvey, Errison Ahwan (hamstring) is a major risk and Lee Shearer is struggling with a groin problem.

To add insult to this injury crisis, a number of United's promising youth players, including the highly-rated centre back Chris Smalling, are away on County duty, leaving joint-managers Lloyd Hume and Alan Walker with an invidious choice.

"We'll get 11 players out, but we may have to play the most fit of the injured players," Hume admitted.

Asked if he was considering coming out of semi-retirement, Hume said: "No, I wouldn't go that far."

The search for a replacement for striker Luis Cumbers continues, but so far United have drawn a blank.

Hume said: "We've been out to three games this week, looking for players. The situation is that we've got 17 or 18 players on the pay roll but we can't get 10 fit players out.

"We're very conscious of the situation with the new ground so we don't want to go to the Chairman and say we need x amount of money.

"Instead we're looking at the lower leagues, but there are players at Kent League level who can score loads of goals, but would struggle if they made the step up."

Maidstone v AFC Hornchurch match report on this website tomorrow