McBride back for Sittingbourne, but Lansdale leaves Rebels

Rebels’ top scorer, with 16 goals this term, will be back after a seven-match suspension following his second red card of the season against Crawley Down back in December.

He will be back in the squad as Rebels get back into action at Woodside Road, after a much-needed week off, after their match with Croydon Athletic was postponed, which has allowed a number of the side to recover from knocks, injuries and illness.

White said: “Ryan will be back and it will be like having a new player. He has trained really hard in the past couple of weeks. He is a little short of match practice, but he came back last time after a ban and scored three in three matches, so, hopefully, he’ll do that again.”

Having struggled in the past couple of weeks, Mike Huckett and Luke Gedling have returned to full fitness, as has Steve Davies. Tom Manton did not train on Tuesday night, but should be okay for Saturday, although Jamie Brotherton’s groin injury will keep him sidelined.

Rebels, however, will be without versatile John Lansdale, who has left the Rebels to join County League Division 2 side Mile Oak, citing he was unhappy at the club.

White said: “John is a nice lad and a good player, but no one is guaranteed to start every game or play 90 minutes.

“It’s disappointing for anyone to want to leave us when we are in the position we are in and what we have to play for. It baffles me, but there you go – I am not going to keep anyone here that doesn’t want to be here.”

Ahead of Saturday, White added: “You just don’t know what to expect. They have won one only of their last eight, but that was against Whitehawk, so it shows anyone can beat anyone.”

The club will be offering £5 entry for Saturday’s match against Sittingbourne, for anyone who watches the lunchtime FA Cup match in the main supporters’ bar, and is in before 1pm.