FORMER Brentford striker Derek Bryan looks set to make his debut tonight for Gravesend & Northfleet when the Ryman League, Premier Division, outfit travel to Purfleet in the league.

The 27-year-old has recently returned to full fitness following a long term cruciate injury and, after joining the Fleet on Saturday, he is likely to replace Simon Parker, who is unavailable. Fleet boss Andy Ford said: "He suffered a bad injury but he's been back for about six months now.

"Brentford felt he wasn't going to make it at league level but I think he can do a job for me here. With Che (Stadhart) suffering with a shoulder injury and Simon unavailable for mid-week games, I felt we needed some cover up front. He gives me something different in attack."

Gravesend cut the lead at the top of the table behind Canvey to just three points when they collected their 11th home league win on the trot with a 1-0 triumph over Billericay Town on Saturday.

In a scrappy opening period, in which neither side could find their passing game, the visitors had the best opportunity when Joe Baker latched onto a long through ball on the stroke of half time but his clever lob bounced off the far post.

The Fleet made the most of the miss by taking the lead five minutes after the break when Craig Wilkins wrapped his left foot around the ball on the edge of the box after good work by Rob Owen and Jimmy Jackson.

Second half substitute Liam Hatch could have extended Gravesend's lead but he missed a couple of good opportunities, meaning the hosts had to settle for a one-goal win.

Gravesend (from): Blake, Skinner, Duku, Barnett, Burton, Lye, Owen, Jackson, Booth, Wilkins, Hatch, Williams, Lee, Turner, Martin, Smith, McKimm, Bryan, Stadhart.