Lewis Ward looks set to return in goal for Margate this weekend after boss Nikki Bull was handed a two-game touchline ban.

The ban follows an incident in the 1-0 Vanarama National League South defeat at Poole on August 20 when Bull was ordered from the dugout after comments made to the referee although the paperwork only came through a fortnight ago.

The Gate boss, who would have been fit to play at Whitehawk on Saturday after a back injury, explained: "It's a strange one really. I got asked to leave the technical area but he (the referee) never showed me a red card.

"He did say he was reporting me but when nothing came through for seven or eight weeks I thought nothing more about it.

"We only got the letter two weeks ago and I responded accepting the charge because I thought it was easier than trying to fight it."

Regular No.1 Ward has been troubled by a leg injury but Bull says the young keeper has assured him 'he's good to go' at Whitehawk.

Skipper Luke Moore is suspended after his red card in Saturday's 5-1 home league defeat to Concord, but Lewis Taylor could play some part after recovering from his Achilles problem.

Midfielder Scott Donnelly underwent an operation on his knee this week while Bull will assess the fitness of Matt Johnson (calf), Chris Sessegnon (groin/hamstring) and Brett Johnson (hamstring) before deciding whether to risk them.

Gate saw striker Michael Thalassitis depart for Hemel Hempstead on Wednesday and speculation continues to mount that top scorer Elliott Buchanan - believed to be a target for at least two clubs - will be next through the exit door.

Saturday's opponents Whitehawk are one of the division's form teams having recently appointed former Eastleigh manager Richard Hill as boss, and Bull admits the Sussex side will provide tough opposition.

He added: "Whitehawk are flying at the moment and they seem to be signing good players left, right and centre.

"They are a team I'd expect to make a run into the play-offs like they did last season but it's 11 versus 11 and I know whatever team we put out we can be competitive.

"We will though have to perform a lot better than we did in the (last two) games against Harrow Borough and Concord."