Injured Tonbridge midfielder Doug Loft could return before the end of the season.

Loft was a key part of Jay Saunders’ plans after taking charge last summer.

But the former Gillingham captain ruptured his Achilles at the end of August and has been a big miss.

There were fears his season was over but Loft is determined to play some part.

“He’s still a little way off but he’s started running,” said Angels boss Saunders.

“He’s been a massive loss to us and part of the reason why we’ve conceded as many goals as we have.

“We’ve got good midfielders but what we probably lack is a real holding player like Lofty who sits in and breaks up play and his distribution is really good.

“He was a big part of my plans and he played really well in the first couple of games before he got injured.

“We aren’t going to rush him, he’s got to be comfortable.

“He’s been doing some work with Gary Hemens, the physio at Gillingham, who he knows well from his time there.

“It drives him mad when everyone writes him off.

“He’s a proper pro who’s been there and done it and he’s desperate to get back involved.

“I’ve told him don’t rush, make sure you’re right but if we get him before the end of the season, fantastic.”

Tonbridge lost 2-1 at Welling on Monday as the Wings completed a Christmas and New Year double, having won 1-0 at Longmead on Boxing Day.

Lewis Gard levelled after Taylor Maloney’s opener but Ade Azeez scored the winner on the stroke of half-time.

Defeat was harsh on Tonbridge, who are 10th in National South, six points off the play-offs.

They host Slough in their first home game of the new year this Saturday (3pm).

“I’m a bit gutted to come away with nothing from the two Welling games,” said Saunders.

“I don’t want to sound bitter - fair play to them - but it’s very harsh to have nothing to show for our efforts. We’ve had a large amount of possession and chances and entries into the box in both games.

“The simple fact is we’ve not been good enough in the final third and we’re sitting here with no points.

“If you look at our record this season, we haven’t drawn many games - only two.

“You need to keep clean sheets in the tight games when you’re not at it at one end but we’ve not done that.

“In both boxes over the course of the season we’ve not been quite good enough and it’s cost us a lot of points.

“It’s fine margins at this level of football - I can’t be too harsh on the boys.”

Defender Ben Swift missed Monday’s game with a tight hamstring but Tonbridge’s options are looking better, with Joe Turner making his first start after a hernia operation and Tommie Fagg and Ruben Soares coming off the bench after injuries.

Saunders is determined to keep Angels competitive in the second half of the season.

He said: “We’re kind of at that crossroads point where we’re six points off the play-offs and, at the same time, 10 points off relegation.

“I want to kick on and if that means shuffling the pack, that’s what we’ll try and do.

“I can’t sit back and say it’s all right where we are. We’ve got to keep trying to improve.

“If the right players are out there we’ll see what we can do. I’d rather go for permanent signings than loans.”