GRAVESEND & Northfleet face one of their biggest games of the season when they play hosts to third placed Aldershot in the Ryman League, Premier Division, tonight.

Andy Ford's side, who haven't played at Stonebridge Road in the league since mid-December, lie second in the table, just two points behind pace-setters Canvey Island with two games in hand on their main rivals.

Aldershot, who are currently without a manager but have received 60 applications for the vacant post, will be strong opposition having won their last four games.

Gravesend assistant boss Phil Handford said: "This is a big game for us. It's important to bounce back from the weekend, but it is exactly the right time to play them, although they are a good side who could go up.

"We need to take each game at a time and try and keep the pressure off the lads. We could lose eight on the bounce and so could Canvey or Aldershot. There's a long way to go so it's pointless looking at the league table now."

The Fleet will be without Nick Burton through suspension and Che Stadhart with a shoulder injury, but Jimmy Jackson is expected to play after recovering from a slight ankle knock picked up in the 1-1 draw at Hendon on Saturday.

Gravesend (from): Turner, Lee, Skinner, Lye, Barnett, Duku, Smith, McKimm, Jackson, Booth, Parker, Owen, Martin, Williams, Wilkins.