Sheppey will trust goalkeeper Aiden Prall to let them know whether he’s fit to return this weekend.

Assistant manager Geoff Record says there’s a chance Prall will be available at Horndean on Saturday (3pm) as he continues his recovery from a work-related knee injury.

Their weekend postponement at Beckenham has given the keeper – a tree surgeon by day – extra time to recover and Sheppey know they can count on their No.1 to make the right decision.

“There’s been a slight improvement with the knee,” said Record.

“He might be able to play down at Horndean but we have to see how this week progresses with him.

“Prior to that he’d been struggling with a foot injury for two or three games but managed to play through it.

“When he got injured at work, that drew a line under it and meant he had to stop, so we’ve just got to see how he is.

“Hopefully he’ll be able to have some sort of test on Thursday but he’s experienced enough to know his body.

“It’s a specialist position, goalkeeper, and I think the final decision is with him.

“In Aiden’s case, I think being honest with himself is important because he’s been brilliant this season but he’s got to think of the long-term picture as well.

“He’s going to be sick if he reinjuries it because he’s come back too early and is out for another three weeks.

“That’s what hurts you so he’s got to be very selective with his decision.”

If Prall misses the trip, it will mean another opportunity for Beau Hudd.

The former West Brom youngster kept a clean sheet on his debut after signing on the morning of Sheppey’s 1-0 win over Three Bridges.

New director of football Matt Longhurst was credited with the emergency signing by boss Ernie Batten.

Sheppey will also check on the fitness of winger James Bessey-Saldanha, who felt his hamstring in training at the weekend although Record is optimistic he’ll be fine.

“He did half the session so I wouldn’t think there’ll be a question mark against him,” he said.

While most of the Sheppey squad trained following the Beckenham postponement, others took the chance to get minutes elsewhere.

Dan Bradshaw, D’Jean Spencer and Joe Ganiwa played in K Sports’ 3-3 draw at SC Thamesmead.

The Southern Counties East Division 1 club are managed by Batten’s sons, George and Ian.

Bradshaw and Spencer were among the scorers.

“It’s a good tie-in to have,” said Record.

“A few lads needed minutes under their belts.

“Dan and D’Jean scored as well, so it was a useful exercise.”

Sheppey go into the weekend sixth in Isthmian South East, three points outside the play-off places.

Opponents Horndean are 13th but won 3-2 at Holm Park in October in the days leading up to the Ites’ FA Cup first-round appearance against Walsall.

Record said: “They played quite well against us but they caught us on a bad day. They ended up having a comfortable win.”