Faversham Town have been rocked by an injury crisis on the eve of the new Ryman League season.

Already missing Jamie Maxted and Matt Bourne, the Lilywhites lost Renford Tenyue, Will Godmon, John Scarborough and Ryan Cheek during Saturday’s friendly against Leatherhead.

Things got even worse for Ray Turner on Tuesday night when George Monger tore his hamstring at training and the manager admits he could struggle to get a side out for the Division 1 South opener at Walton Casuals on Saturday.

Turner said: “It’s not been a good week. We’ve got an injury crisis on our hands.

“Before the Leatherhead game, I had a squad of 20 and was looking at loaning a couple of our young players out but we’ll be counting the numbers up on Thursday night and hoping we can add up to 11.

“I’ve got to put my thinking cap on because I’ve got a bit of work to do between now and Saturday.

“I might have to call in some favours or promote some of the under-21s in the short-term. It’s not ideal.”

Tenyue and Godmon may feature on Saturday but if the latter doesn’t make it, Turner has an issue in goal. Simon Overland has left the club to join Sittingbourne while Tom Benham is on loan at Hollands & Blair.

Turner said: “I might have to recall him if that’s a problem after Thursday. It’s all come at once.

“At the time, letting Simon go to Sittingbourne was the right thing for both parties because he was ready to play games and I couldn’t hold him back.

“As usual, it tends to come in batches. It looks like half a dozen have gone in a week.

“Whether it’s a game too much, I don’t know, I don’t think you can put it down to anything in particular.

“It’s looking like taking a couple with me that are not 100%. I had a quick count-up on Wednesday morning and I’m looking at 13 fit players. It’s not perfect by any means but there’s still some talented players out there.

“They’re going to have to dig deep early in the season and see what they’ve got.”

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