Injured boss eyes defensive cover

Ray, pictured, is eager to bring in an un-named player to replace himself in the heart of the backline for the visit from AFC Hornchurch in the Ryman Football League Premier Division.

The 30-year-old, who has been in impressive form of late, has damaged ligaments in his foot and is likely to be sidelined for around three weeks.

Ray said: “We’re hopeful we might have one (player) in for Saturday. It’s the same ankle as last year and I was worried I’d fractured it again. I probably shouldn’t have played Saturday (in the 2-0 loss to Cray Wanderers).”

Speaking on Wednesday, Ray said he didn’t know what’s happening with Scott Manning – the obvious in-house replacement at centre-half – and was unsure whether he would be in the squad for tomorrow.

Ray has been speaking to a couple of clubs about bringing someone in on loan, initially for a month, and United have also issued a seven-day approach for an un-named midfielder from league rivals Met Police.

“He’s a young lad that I’ve known for quite a while and he would give us something a little bit different in the middle of the park,” continued Ray, who will be entitled to speak to the player in question from Tuesday.

Ray hopes to reach an agreement with Brighton & Hove Albion next week to keep on-loan attacking player Jordan Woodley at The Pilot Field for another month once his initial one-month deal expires.

See today’s Hastings Observer for the full article.