Gary Abbott's preparations for Sittingbourne’s Ryman League Division 1 South clash with Leatherhead have been hit by the late withdrawal of Nick Reeves.

The defender made himself unavailable for selection for Saturday's visit of the title-chasing Tanners as well as Tuesday’s Kent derby against Whitstable.

Abbott (pictured) said he was frustrated by Reeves’ absence but added: "We’ll just have to get on with it. He is an important player for us but we have got others who can come in."

Victory on Saturday could put the Brickies in the top three but defeat would leave them 11 points behind the pace-setters having played a game more.

Abbott added: "We want to stay in that top five or six, in previous years we’ve been playing catch-up so we want at least a point and then it would make Tuesday a must-win."

Tom Bradbrook is Bourne’s only doubt after suffering a dead leg at Fleet last Saturday.