CANVEY Island chief Mark Bentley is looking forward to locking horns with his veterans team boss this weekend.

The Gulls are set to clash with Welwyn Garden City, who are managed by Nick Ironton, in the extra preliminary round of the FA Trophy tomorrow.

And Bentley is looking to claim bragging rights over a familiar face.

“Nick is the manager of my veterans team, so I’m sure there will be some messages being exchanged and a bit of banter leading up to the game,” added Bentley.

“He has got a good team there and they have started well in their league.

“It will be a difficult game for us because I am up against it in terms of the availability of players.

“We have lost three players who were involved in the FA Cup replay win over St Ives in midweek due to injury.

“Elliott Warren, for instance, has sent me a picture of his ankle and it is black and blue.”

As a result, Bentley fears he may have to field a makeshift starting line-up this weekend.

“They will be big and strong, while we may have people filling in positions they are not used to,” admitted the ex-Southend United midfielder.

“I have been looking to see if I can get some players in on loan, but it’s difficult because it’s an FA Trophy game and then they would be cup-tied when they go back to their parent club.

“We want to do well in the FA Trophy and I would like us to go on a run, but it will be difficult with the squad we have for tomorrow.”