Sheppey will be turning to their development squad again this week to fill the gap left by some key absentees.

Captain Tom Varker is among those missing for Saturday’s Kent 1 home clash with King’s College Hospital, but coach Rob Dengate has faith in those stepping in.

He said: “The boys who have stepped up from the development squad have done well for us this season and I’m sure that will be the case again.

“We are missing some key players, players who have been fundamental to what we have done this season, but we have got strength in depth. We have players we can call on and that has been a real luxury for us.”

Second-in-the-table Sheppey – who beat Old Gravesendians 27-8 last week – will, along with Varker, be without Brad Box and Sean Morgan. Rob Allum is also missing with a knee ligament injury and could be out for six weeks.

They face a King’s College team who frustrated them with a 10-10 draw side last time they met.

Dengate said: “We scraped the draw and they hit the post with just a few minutes left,” recalled Dengate.

“We are looking to exact a bit of revenge.”