There will be no training for Herne Bay’s players this week as boss Steve Lovell tries to avoid further potential injury issues in their season run-in.

Bay kept alive their hopes of a top-five Isthmian South East finish this season with a 2-1 victory at Littlehampton last weekend.

Defender Harrison Pont sustained a knock in that win while left-sided player Frankie Smith, midfielder Archie Burnett and forward Gil Carvalho also picked up injuries, which will need to be assessed.

With experienced midfielder Danny Walder unlikely to play again this season, Lovell is erring on the side of caution.

“I have a few injuries from Saturday,” he said.

“Ponty got a bit of a knock, Archie came off with an injury, Frankie came off with an injury and Gil came off with an injury.

“Danny Walder will be out now. He’s injured.

“It could be better - but I will give them a rest this week. I’m not having anyone in for training.

“They can do their own thing because I just don’t want the risk of anyone else getting injured.”

Former Tonbridge and Faversham man Walder will be a big miss to the side’s spine for the final three games.

Lovell said: “He has done his Achilles. That’s not a short-term thing.

“I think that’ll be him for the season, which is a shame because he has been brilliant.

“With Harry Brooks in goal, Liam Friend at centre-back, him in midfield and Kane Rowland up front, we have got a nice spine to the squad.

“Everybody around them is younger and more mobile but they have been excellent.

“That’s what you build the team through - that spine.

“I’ve been happy with all four of them this year and they have had good years.”

After a goalless first period, Smith scored early in the second half.

Lovell said: “He has had a good year, Frankie. He’s been brilliant.

“He had scored a couple already this year but that was a really important one on Saturday. It was with his right foot, as well, and he took it really well.

“He’s been excellent. I’m really pleased for him.”

Midfielder Scott Heard then doubled Bay’s advantage in fine fashion with an audacious overhead kick.

Lovell said: “It was a shock to all of us, I think.

“As it bounced, that’s the last thing we thought Heardy would do! The overhead kick was brilliant.

“It was a brilliant goal. He’s been great.

“I’m really pleased with him since he has come in. He has helped us in that midfield area,
with his experience and his energy.

“He has been a great signing for us.”

While weekend visitors Sheppey have seen their own play-off push tail away, Ernie Batten’s Ites did reach the First Round of the FA Cup.

The two teams drew 2-2 at Holm Park last November, although much has changed at both clubs since.

“We had a good game over there,” noted Lovell. “I think they had just come out of that FA Cup run.

“We went 2-0 up and then they scored two second-half goals to get a point out of it.

“We know what to expect. They have changed their team quite a lot since the last time we played them, they have brought some players in, some have gone - and we have done the same.

“You want to win every game.

“They will be out to try and beat us and, obviously, we have got to win to make sure that we take our season into another week.

“Football is a funny old game. We just have to keep going.”

Bay visit Cray Valley on April 20 and host Chichester on the final day of the season.