Canvey Island striker Junior McDougald is expected to hit the comeback trail during tonight's friendly at Isthmian Premier Division Leyton.

The 29-year-old's pre-season preparations have been hampered by a knee injury, but he is expected to return to the Gulls' line-up, along with centre-half Dave Theobald.

Manager Jeff King officially returns to his managerial duties tonight, having left right-hand man Glenn Pennyfather in charge of pre-season while he took a holiday in Spain.

And he promised to send a strong team into action, despite most of his senior men having had a gruelling 90 minutes during Tuesday's 2-1 Park Lane warm-up defeat against League Championship side Gillingham.

"We will have a full squad at Leyton this evening," said King.

"I'm hoping Junior will get at least 45 minutes under his belt."

Published Thursday July 29, 2004

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