Seasiders boss Neil Cugley takes his injury hit squad to Croydon Athletic this weekend, hopeful his side will be able to put Tuesday’s Kent Senior Cup defeat at Welling United behind them whilst hoping he has enough fit personnel to make the trip.

The versatile Darren Smith and goalkeeper Jack Delo both return to the squad this weekend after being cup tied on Tuesday night.

Liam Friend couldn’t take his place in the midweek squad due to a swollen ankle, whilst the Invicta manager was forced to play Jimmy Jackson (back), Liam Dickson (back), James Everitt (knee), Josh Burchell (hamstring) and Jimmy Dryden (neck) against the Conference South side.

Cugley mused, "We had a lot of problems the whole evening and even over whether it was actually going to go ahead.

"We had a lot of players struggling who had to play in the end and what we had there was literally all we had. If you're being honest and if we had a bigger squad they probably wouldn't have played but that’s the situation we’re in. To be fair to them they've given it a go and for an hour or so we weren't too bad but once they (Welling) got a third goal they ran away with the game and when you've got players who aren't fully fit against Conference South players, they will punish you.

"Welling to be fair were very good and at times played some excellent football and it was hard to compete with them – for quite a long time we did but anybody who was there could see that the injuries took their toll as the game went on. Welling play at a high tempo anyway so you need players that are fit to go out there and that wasn't the case.

“But you have to give credit to the players as they could've easily dropped out but they didn't because they know the predicament the Club is in. If we'd had a fully fit side I think although we might not have had enough to have won, we'd have given them a good game.

“We were able to give chances to Paul Egan and Simon Rainbow, and Byrnesy got another opportunity as he couldn't play Saturday for instance and it gives people a chance at least to see the sort of standard they've got to get up to.”

Tuesday night followed the weekend’s visit to Metropolitan Police and despite Invicta returning to the south coast defeated 2-1, the gaffer was clearly pleased with the performance of his side.

"I think that's maybe the best we've played all season and the younger lads showed that they can compete at this level. I was pleased with how we conducted ourselves in a game where I felt we at least deserved a draw, if not a win but sometimes football does that to you. I have generally been very pleased with how we're playing lately and it's results we want now as we want to finish on a high.

"They've (Met Police) got a great goal for their first one and the second one they got a free kick where Jack (Delo) was a little bit one sided and the free kick went the other side which was disappointing but to be fair to our lads we kept plugging away, got one back and it was really all us.”

Invicta’s record goal scorer Jimmy Dryden picked up Folkestone’s goal and the striker has now got on the score sheet in the last four matches.

With Frankie Chappell and Kieron Byrne both suspended for the clash against one of the promotion hopeful outfits, Cugley made use of his Gillingham links and brought in a young defender recommended by his former assistant Mark Patterson – Liam Wybraniec.

"Three centre halfs who were all Liams doesn’t happen too often! He (Wybraniec) is out of their youth team and I'm delighted they've let him have us. He got a bit of cramp at the end but generally we were pleased with his contribution.

"He has signed Ryman forms but his Gillingham games will come first; if the reserves have got a game or the youth team have got a Cup game then he's going to be involved there. If we need him and it suits him, then he'll play for us so it's a nice little understanding between the clubs. It gave him a bit of experience of men's football and helped us keep the shape of the side. He did well and it wouldn't shock me if he did play a few more games for us between now and the end of the season.”

Wybraniec may be involved this weekend against Croydon depending on Invicta’s injury problems. It is hoped Liam Friend will have recovered from a swollen ankle to make the squad whilst Billy Swallow is back to fitness after a spell on the sidelines and could be involved with Josh Burchell suffering from a tight hamstring.

Jimmy Jackson and Liam Dickson are also hoped to have recovered from back problems although next week there is no midweek match which is something of a relief for the manager with his numerically challenged squad.

James Everitt (knee) remains a worry although Cugs described him as a “tough competitor who wants to keep going” whilst medical staff will be examining Jimmy Dryden’s neck at training tonight.

The other half of the squad is fortunately injury free!

"We've had so many ups and downs this year that you just get on with it and knowing the players we have got here they will roll their sleeves up and give it their all on Saturday and that's all you can ask.”

Croydon only lie one position below Invicta although many were expecting bigger things from the South London outfit in light of their well documented financial power.

"I don't think the money was spent very well originally and they've not done as well as some would’ve thought. They've changed the manager but they’ve got some big name players there; Neil Smith who is ex Reading and Gills and Robbie Ryan who played for Millwall in the F.A Cup a few years ago for instance. If we’ve got our players fit I'd fancy us to get round them with our younger legs to stop them playing and then hopefully we can play as well.

“When we've got our strongest side out I think we aren’t a bad side at all and if we can keep what we've got until the end of the year it'll be nice to keep going with these young lads as they get better and better but obviously it's down to others to sort out the tax bill.

“We want to create stability, not have to start all over again on a new side. The young lads we’ve thrown in this season are improving all the time and we'd like to think they will be part of what we're trying to do here. We've got to keep plugging away, keep trying to play the football we played at Met Police, get them stronger, fitter and better organised and all this hard work we've put in will be worthwhile. Everything else on the pitch is falling into place, it's just this tax bill and the future of the Club that needs to be sorted.”

Cugs has sold the remaining match ball sponsorships and all funds raised go towards helping the survival of the Football Club.

“Anybody that wants to sponsor anything or help in any way should just give me a ring. I’m delighted with the response we've had from the regular people who watch us, the players have responded and it's down to getting off the field sorted and then we can all look forward to next year knowing there's a future.”