Sheppey United player-boss Jack Midson is considering his attacking options ahead of a tricky match against bottom side Faversham Town.

Midson is likely to be missing Jake Embery after his weekend red card at Corinthian and Warren Mfula because of injury, leaving the Ites light in numbers ahead of Saturday’s home Isthmian League South East clash.

While the manager is happy to don the boots once more and shuffle his team around there’s also an option to play under-23 prospect Luke Frost or consider bringing in some cover.

“We shouldn’t have to rely on me to play but we will look at what we’ve got and go from there,” said Midson.

“If we do have a couple of injuries or suspensions then me or Jono (Richardson, assistant manager) can fill in for a couple of weeks and then take a step back. I always like playing but my body can’t do what it used to do.

“I am only six months after a knee operation, I do feel it, but for me if it goes it goes and I will just give 100% until everyone is back and then rest it.”

Midson has already made 22 appearances this season after his summer surgery, where he was told there may be another couple of seasons left to play. He turns 40 in September.

“This is the first year and then we’ll go from there,” he said. “It definitely feels different. I have looked after myself which is why I have played for so late but I have to be realistic - I can’t go on forever!”

Saturday’s 1-1 draw at second-from- bottom Corinthian ended Sheppey’s five-game winning streak. Connor Wilkins’ 20th-minute effort was cancelled out before the break by Sam Bewick. The referee dismissed Embery following a late challenge on the keeper. It was the afters that led to the red card.

Midson said: “We were a bit gutted the way it went, but we look at the positives of the run we have been on and we were playing a team that are fighting for their lives.

“It will be the same on Saturday against [bottom-placed] Faversham, they aren’t going to roll over and make life easy for us. Even before the sending-off we weren’t good enough. The pitch didn’t help getting it down to play good football, they were up for the fight and got in our faces early.

“It was a heavy pitch and we looked a bit leggy and off it slightly but we still had a go. A few months ago we would have lost that game.

“I did have a bit of a pop at them after the game although I always end on a positive. There have been a lot of positives lately, but people can get a little comfortable. It was a little reminder. I did credit them for not losing it, especially been down to 10 men. It could be a big point come the end of the season.”

On the red card, Midson said: “He (Embery) went in for a needless tackle on the goalkeeper after he had already picked it up, a bit of frustration from Jake. A group of players then all crowded around him and from my viewpoint, one of their defenders has made the most of it, grabbed Jake’s hand and smashed himself in the face!

“We have to plan for the three-game [suspension] and I’ll have to get my boots back on! I did say to Jake he had let us down a bit - it was a needless tackle, we have got Warren out injured, he is our goalscorer and he gets sent off, so not ideal.”

Basement side Faversham have been trying to sign better players to help their cause but are a long way off safety.

Midson said: “When you play bottom of the league you are expected to win.

“The pressure is on us, especially at home, and it all comes down to mentality then, who is the strongest mentally to go and win a game under pressure.”

Looking for his first Sheppey start is former Herne Bay attacking midfielder Eddie Allsopp, who signed before the Corinthian game and came off the bench. He won promotion last season with his former club.

“He is a very technically gifted player,” Midson said.

“He came on and did okay the other day, it was a rough old game and a rough old pitch. I am expecting him to excel at home on our pitch, he has trained a couple of times and done really well and you can tell that at home it will be his sort of game.”