Manager Clive Cook has identified Dean Grant as a key asset to his Canterbury City side.

The striker was missed during Saturday’s 0-0 draw away to Welling Town as City found themselves short of attacking quality.

He returned to the team on Tuesday night to find the net and assert himself as a valuable focal point in the 2-2 draw with Sheppey.

Cook said: “Dean Grant wasn’t there Saturday and he’s a pivotal player for us, because he holds the ball up well and is a good target man and then Matt Day plays around him.

“It showed Tuesday in the levels of performance in the final third.”

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With a long season ahead, Cook is keen to see his players settle down and begin to express themselves without the nerves that were displayed in their league opener.

He added: “Rome wasn’t built in a day, you aren’t going to win league titles and promotion in the first 10/15 games, it’s all about steadying it and relaxing.

“On our day, we're a competition for any side. We'll be hard to beat and that's how I see us. We've got to put points into wins now.

“There's no point in having 10 draws, you'll rue that come the end of the season. It's nice and steady, we will get on a run.”

The City boss has welcomed Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Greenwich Borough as a timely opportunity for the team to continue their gelling process.

“It’s nice to have an FA Cup game, it’s nice to take that pressure away,” he said.

“It’s a one off. Let’s see if we can get into the next round, it’s good for the football club, it’s a bit of exposure and money.”

City are set to be without captain Callum Emptage at the weekend as he nurses a hamstring injury, while Jordan Wright is back in the squad having been away for the opening two games.

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