GREAT Wakering Rovers are set to make the trip to VCD Athletic after Canvey Island were forced to pull out of their pre-season friendly with the Kent club.

Mark Bentley’s Gulls were originally scheduled to do battle with the Isthmian South East outfit tonight.

But Canvey confirmed neighbours Wakering will now take their place in the friendly.

A club statement read: “Tuesday night’s pre-season friendly away to VCD Athletic has been cancelled.

“We are currently low on numbers due to injuries and holidays and, with that in mind, it was suggested to VCD that they may want to find alternative opposition.

“The Vickers will now play host to Great Wakering Rovers instead, with our next match being away to Waltham Abbey on Saturday.”

The Gulls have been made to contend with a number of players being unavailable due to holidays, while Ryan Melaugh was added to the list of injured Gulls after sustaining a knee injury in the weekend defeat to Cheshunt.

Wakering will be looking to bounce back from a convincing 4-0 loss at the hands of Isthmian Premier League promotion favourites Hornchurch.

The Urchins scored twice inside a minute as Danny Uchechi and Charlie Stimson gave the visitors an early lead at Burroughs Park.

Uchechi completed his brace after Stimson unselfishly decided to square the ball with just 20 minutes on the clock.

Jordan Clark, the brother of Bowers & Pitsea central defender Lewis, struck the post on the verge of half-time.

But Hornchurch grabbed a fourth goal through former Billericay Town youngster George Saunders late on.