BASHLEY'S dependable defender Chris Ferrett is expected to fight through the pain barrier once again at home to Cray Wanderers tomorrow.

The former Dorchester and Havant & Waterlooville campaigner, pictured, is having an outstanding season for the Foresters despite being troubled of late by a niggling knee injury.

Manager Geoff Butler confessed: "Chris could do with a couple of weeks' rest really, but the squad's not really big enough for that.

"He's had the knee looked at and there's no cruciate or medial ligament damage or cartilage problems. It may just be bruising or a slight problem where the tendon joins the kneecap.

"He's struggling a bit with it, but once it's warmed up it's fine and I'd be surprised if he didn't play tomorrow. The lad's been magnificent."

Unfortunately, Butler is not so optimistic about midfielder Chris Knowles, who has a pelvic problem, or wideman Andy Culliford, who sat out last Saturday's amazing 5-4 fightback at Burgess Hill with a bad groin.

Both are rated highly doubtful for what could well be another goal feast tomorrow - if November's 4-4 draw at Cray's adopted Bromley home is anything to go by!

Loan striker James Stokoe, who bagged the winner on his debut at Burgess Hill, might have to wait a week or so for his Eastleigh clubmate Sam Wyeth to join him at the Recreation Ground.

Butler said: "Paul (Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell) didn't have Sam on contract last week so we couldn't loan him. He's sorting that out now, but I believe Paul's got a couple of suspensions tomorrow so he's hanging onto him a while."

Bash midfielder Sayem Kabir made a long-awaited return to action last Saturday - from a hamstring injury dating back to August!