Enforced rest for Fleet striker

A SHOULDER injury and a lack of form are keeping Gravesend & Northfleet's talented striker Che Stadhart on the sidelines. He will miss Saturday's FA Trophy second round trip to Cinderford in the Forest of Dean.

Stadhart's manager Andy Ford believes he needs to reignite his season when fit again. Ford said: "Che's got a bit of a shoulder injury that has been niggling him for a while, but I was not satisfied with his performance against Huddersfield and he wouldn't have played against Hitchin last Saturday even if he was fit.

"I am going to give him two weeks rest and then he's got to fight for his place back. Che is a little bit different from the other forwards I have got and he's important to us when he is on song because he can undo defences at times with his trickery, pace and strength.

"You can't have four strikers all the same and Che gives me that something different, but he's got to get that little bit of spark back into his game. I have got no doubt he will do that and will finish with 20-odd goals this season."

Meanwhile, young midfielder Danny Lye, who joined the Fleet in the summer from British Energy Kent County League side Bearsted, has been handed a contract.