Bearsted are hopeful an early-season injury crisis that forced them to cancel training is behind them.

The Bears suffered numerous injuries in the opening weeks of the campaign with new signings Connor French, Jason Banton, Jesse Darko and Billy Lewins among those sidelined in attack.

It made for a challenging period for the Southern Counties East Premier Division club but things are looking up.

They’re 10th after seven games, three points outside the play-offs, following goals from Darko and Sam Stace in a 2-1 win at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

Jack Walder replied in the 13th minute of added time.

“We’ve had a lot of injuries,” said boss Kevin Stevens.

“I know every team gets injuries but it’s been so bad, the amount we’ve had.

“They’re slowly coming back and we’ve only got a couple out now, which is good. The others are picking up speed the more we play them in games.

“With players coming back, I’m hoping we’ll start to be a little bit more consistent and can look forward to a good season.

“It seemed to be all the new players who got injured and then there’s been knocks here and there.

“At one stage we had 10 or 11 players missing who could all have been starting games.

“It’s been hard because we’ve had to change the team around but, touch wood, the injuries will stay away now.

“We train twice a week and we had to call off sessions at times because we were left with six or seven players.

“It’s been nice to get back on the training field and work on some stuff as players have come back.”

Bearsted host Kennington in the FA Vase second qualifying round this Saturday (3pm).

Bears won the league fixture at Honey Lane 5-0 just a few weeks ago but Stevens is reading nothing into that.

“Kennington are a better side than that,” said Stevens.

“We watched them against Lydd and they were unlucky to lose 1-0 and they’ve had some good results, drawing with Faversham.

“Dan (Scorer, Kennington boss) always puts good sides together and I’m expecting a tough game. They’ll give us a few more problems on Saturday.”

Bearsted return to league action at home to title favourites Faversham on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Tommy Warrilow’s side have enjoyed an unbeaten start and sit third in the early standings.

Stevens said: “When Tommy went in there I had a feeling he would stabilise them and get them playing a lot tighter.

“They’re definitely the team to beat this season.

“I think they’ll go on a really good run.

“The league’s the toughest it’s ever been.

“I know Jamie Coyle (Whitstable manager) was talking about it the other day and the homework teams do on each other.

“Teams put a lot of work into beating Faversham and I’m sure they will get beat at some point, but I think anyone who finishes above them will win the league.”