l RUNDOWN: East Thurrock United will expect a return to form when they welcome bottom-club Margate in the National League South this weekend.

Rocks have conceded 11 goals in the last two games and seem to have lost the momentum they had earlier in the campaign, following heavy back-to-back defeats, and manager John Coventry admits something is missing from his side.

The departure of defensive lynchpin Joe Ellul to Billericay means Rocks are light at centre-half, with Teddy Nesbitt also exiting the club this week.

Margate are rock bottom with 14 defeats from their last 15 games, with the other result a draw in the FA Trophy with East Thurrock, who won the replay.

l MANAGER’S VIEW: Rocks boss John Coventry said: “This time last week I said Braintree would be the game we wanted and look how that panned out, so I am not going to start talking about Margate in that way.

“It is a game we want to win and we need to start picking up more points. The sooner we reach a certain total the happier I will be. I think the sooner we get another 12 points the happier I will be and maybe we will start playing with more freedom after that.

“It is not just the fact of winning but getting beaten by a team in Margate’s position wouldn’t be good for confidence.

“But we are aware of their threats and I am sure it will be a tough game.”

l TEAM NEWS: Lee Burns is out for 2-3 weeks, which comes as a blow following the departure of two defenders this week.

Coventry confirmed he is looking to add a centre-back and full-back ahead of the Margate game.