Following another disappointing display on Saturday, this time at Maidenhead, Welling joint Caretaker Manager Harry Wheeler expects a better performance at Eastbourne.

Welling lost both centre halves through injury on Saturday but Wheeler is not overly concerned. “Rick (Rickie Hayles) will be alright by then” he said. “It was to do with his vision from his left eye. It’s started to get better now and he’ll be okay.

“Dean Leacock came in and he’s a very good player anyway. I’m not worried about Dean. If Rickie and Dean are there, Jordan (Brown) will be at left back and either Sam Hatton or Matt Fish on the right, if Matt Fish is fit. It’s 50/50 either way.”

When Hayles departed on Saturday, Welling had already lost fellow centre half Sean Francis. Wheeler stated “Sean definitely won’t be there but Dean Leacock’s a good replacement. If we have Rick as well, it’s not a problem. The question will be on the right back on who’s fit and who plays.”

Pierre Joseph-Dubois made a cameo substitute performance after being out injured for over a month. Wheeler said “Pierre will be in contention. Whether he’s fit enough to start, I wouldn’t say so. Pierre’s been out a long time and he only came on for twenty minutes at the end (of the game at Maidenhead). When he is fully fit, he’ll put himself in contention because he is a good player.”

Joseph-Dubois was heavily influential when Welling won the reverse fixture at Park View Road in September. He put Welling ahead in the first half but Craig McAllister equalised soon after.

Joseph-Dubois scored his, and Welling’s second, soon after the break and Dan Walker added a third in injury time.

On Saturday, the Sports also had a disappointing afternoon, losing 2-1 at home to Bath City. After a goal-less first half, a Shawn McCoulsky double put the visitors well in command and although Miguel Baptista pulled one back, it was too little too late against a team that finished with ten men.

Whilst Wheeler and fellow co-caretaker manager Tristan Lewis will be looking for a reaction, so will Eastbourne Borough manager Tommy Widdrington.

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.