Nikki Bull believes Tuesday's home derby with Dartford will give him a good idea how well equipped Margate are to live with the best teams in Vanarama National League South.

The Gate boss had the Darts down as one of his promotion favourites before a ball had been kicked and he sees no reason to change that view even though they have made a moderate start with draws in five of their 10 matches.

Bull's own side have just enjoyed their best week of the campaign, taking seven points from three games to move up to 14th, but he says facing Dartford (12th) will be an all together different proposition.

Bull explained: "The Dartford game is massive, not just because it's a Kent derby but because we're facing a team who I would imagine are fully expecting to go up this season.

"They've recruited like they mean business and I believe they are one of the top three clubs in the division.

"It's going to be a tough game but it will be a good test to see how far we've come in the past couple of weeks."

Bull's preparations for the game have been hampered by what he describes as a 'crippling' injury list which could rob him of as many as half-a-dozen players.

Winger Matthias Fanimo is still recovering from the Achilles injury he sustained in pre-season and last week midfielder Lewis Taylor was ruled out for a month while he, too, battles an Achilles problem.

Top scorer Elliott Buchanan (back spasm) and skipper Luke Moore (groin) both missed Saturday's 2-0 win at Bishop's Stortford and by the end of that game midfielder Scott Donnelly (knee) and defender Brett Johnson (cheek) had also joined the walking wounded.

With a home FA Cup tie against Biggleswade Town to look forward to on Saturday, Bull is unlikely to risk anyone who isn't fully fit on Tuesday and that could mean another chance for young midfielder Harry Phipps.

The under-21 player came on to replace Donnelly during the early stages at Bishop's Stortford and Bull says he acquitted himself well.

He added: "If it comes to it I won't hesitate to put Harry in because playing against a team like Dartford will be good for his development.

"He'll be up against people like Elliot Bradbrook, one of the best players in his position in this division, and it will be good for Harry to see what it takes to play consistently at this level."

Meanwhile Bull has revealed that ex Whitehawk defender Chris Sessegnon – signed on a non contract basis last week – is the subject of a seven-day approach by another VNLS club with ‘far more financial clout’ than Margate.