Canvey Island could have ex-Football League star Ty Gooden back in action for tomorrow's Ryman Prem-ier home game with Hendon.

Gooden, who joined the club in the summer, missed last week's FA Trophy thrashing of Farnborough with a groin problem, but is fit to return.

There are, however, still doubts over midfield maestro Jeff Minton, who faces a late fitness test on the hamstring injury which has sidelined him since Gulls' Boxing Day win at Billericay.

One man who won't be figuring in the Islanders' immediate plans is former Southend United favourite Scott Forbes, who has joined Gulls' Premier rivals Bishop's Stortford on a month's loan.

He's one of three first-team squad players currently on loan, the others being Lee Protheroe at Nationwide Conference Gravesend and Bertie Brayley, with Ryman Premier Heybridge Swifts.

Canvey boss Jeff King is fully aware that tomorrow's opponents are notoriously difficult opposition to beat and were in fact the last team to pull off a league success over his side - they won the corresponding fixture at Hendon 1-0 early in September.

Since then, of course, Gulls have put together a marvellous run of 18 Premier games without defeat, all bar two of which have resulted in victories.

King said: "Hendon are always hard to beat and give us a tough game and I'm not expecting tomorrow to be any different."

Published Friday January 16, 2004

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