Captain Connor Essam is closing in on an injury return for Faversham.

Essam, 31, hasn’t featured for the promotion-chasing Southern Counties East Premier Division Lilywhites since last month’s 2-0 defeat to leaders Glebe when he fractured his cheekbone.

But the defender is near a return to fitness with everyone else expected to be available for this Saturday’s home game against Lordswood after last weekend’s trip to strugglers Stansfeld was postponed.

Town manager Tommy Warrilow said: “The only one that I think we might have an element of doubt over is Connor Essam.

“We’re hoping for some good news this week.

“The rest of them, I will be surprised if they’re not available for selection.

“It only takes two or three to go down with something and we’re dipping into the under-23s.

“They have done brilliantly. But any manager will tell you that they want everyone available.”

Among Essam’s old clubs are Gillingham, Dover and Dartford, the club he left last term.

“He’s a really good lad,” Warrilow added. “He’s honest and has had a great career.

“He’s one that is going to be loads better off for us on the pitch, rather than off it. It’s also nice to have that little bit of competition around.

“We need 15 or 16 trying to break into the team.

“But with football comes injuries, although, results-wise, it’s not affected us too much.”

Warrilow was frustrated to see Faversham’s scheduled match against Stansfeld, who ground-share with Glebe at Foxbury Avenue, fall victim to the elements.

With many of their promotion rivals having games in hand, he could see a positive, as well, though.

He said: “We want these teams to play all these games (in hand) to know where we stand.

“It’s quite frustrating. But all we can do is keep ticking off the games we have got.

“Corinthian used one of their games up on Saturday (losing 3-1 to Bearsted) - but Deal didn’t.

“Corinthian can go in front of us if they win their games in hand.

“We knew when I came in that, if they win those games, we might not be right up there. Until these games are played, it’s not ideal.”

Lordswood sit mid-table in 11th, with ex-Whitstable boss Nicky Southall having replaced Matt Barman in charge during December.

“Lordswood have picked up a couple of good results of late,” noted Warrilow.

“They have had a good season and a new manager came in.

“There’s no easy games. But from our point-of-view, we have only been in charge for six games.

“All we can do is play and see what happens.”

Lordswood held Faversham to a goalless draw in Medway and then knocked them out of the Kent Senior Trophy 2-0 in late November.

Warrilow said: “To me, they’re all going to be like that (a bogey team).

“I went to watch a couple of games over the weekend and there’s no easy games - just look at what happened to Ramsgate this weekend (losing 2-0 to Merstham). It happens in every league.

“It’s no surprise to me that the top teams, sometimes, come unstuck because this is a tough league with an honest bunch of players.

“We drew in the league with Lordswood and were knocked out of the cup by them.

“They (Lordswood) will be getting the same amount of respect from us as any other team.”

Faversham are hoping to appoint a new kitman soon.