Sheppey United have turned to youth to plug the gaps after being hit by injuries.

With four key men out and a handful of players departing, player-manager Jack Midson has opted to give some of the club’s youngsters the chance to show what they can do.

Four were involved in Saturday’s win at Littlehampton Town and five took part in the 2-2 draw with Chatham Town on Tuesday night.

“They’ve come to the forefront a bit earlier than expected but there is no perfect time to do it,” said Midson.

“Sometimes it just happens. A couple of people have left the club for different reasons and if we make loads of signings and then those four [injured] players come back you have a whole other issue of leaving players out.”

Ben Beard made the XI for the Ites at the weekend while Jamie Graham - who has just stepped up to sign for the first team after standout performances for the under-23s - was among the youngsters involved. Dartford loan defender Ali Mansaray made his first start.

Forward Luke Frost and winger George Miles are the latest youngsters to be registered with the first team.

Ashley Sains and Jacob Lambert are expected back from injury for the Ites soon while Dan Birch and Renford Tenyue are also out.

There’s been plenty of change for the Ites of late with a number of departures. Matt Parsons and Helge Orome have both joined Faversham, winger Michael Hagan has moved on while Jefferson Aibangbee and Liam Gillies haven’t been involved and both are rumoured to be also leaving.

Midson has targets in mind should he want to add to his squad and has been in contact again with Gillingham to see what they have to offer after the success of recent loan recruit Sam Gale.

Despite the upheaval and turning to youth, Sheppey came from a goal down at Littlehampton to win 3-2 - thanks to a Warren Mfula hat-trick.

Midson said: “The [opening] goal was an error on our part, a slip and a failed clearance.

“It was tough conditions in a tough away game. It shows what a positive week we have had as a smaller team to get our heads down and do everything in our power to get back into the game.

“Warren has been brilliant for us, I had told him to just keep working. He is always going to get goals for you. He went through a little period that happens to some players and because of the amount of goals he scores people expect him to do it every week.

“I did say once he gets one he will get two or three. He got his rewards, every game he has worked so hard and it hadn’t quite happened for him, but he worked hard in those tougher times.”

Sheppey picked up another point at home to high-flying Chatham on Tuesday.

A penalty from Rodney Adamon Eruotor put them ahead but second half goals from Jack Evans and Callum Peck - the second coming three minutes from time - appeared to have won it for the Medway side but Mfula was once again the hero, striking back in the last minute.

Sheppey entertain second from bottom Corinthian on Saturday.

Midson has recently finalised his backroom team with Jono Richardson coming in as player-assistant manager. Ross Wiles and Simon Beard have stepped up from their involvement with the youth set-up to take on first-team coaching duties while Chris McGinn, who had been helping out, has left.

“I am really appreciative of what Chris McGinn came in and did,” said Midson. “It was hard for him to commit with a few things going on, but when he was here he did some really good stuff, some good information.

“I just needed someone in a lot more - Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays. I need that support, I can’t do it all on my own.

“Ross and Beardo have got these young players through from 16s, 18s and 23s and that helps me to manage those players coming through. They know them better than me.

“We are gradually getting there. Jono is a good coach coming in as well. He offers that extra knowledge of players in this league and can also play, so that is a good person to have."