Eastbourne Borough are hoping to keep their two loan players until the end of the season but Gary Hart has suffered a fresh injury blow.

Manager Tommy Widdrington is keen to extend the deals of Ebbsfleet midfielder Stacy Long and young Gillingham striker Tom Derry.

The deal for Derry, who is on a youth loan, ends after tomday’s trip to Bishop’s Stortford while Long has two more weeks remaining of the second month of his loan.

Widdrington said: “I want them both around as long as I can. The paperwork isn’t done for Tom but hopefully he will be with us until the end of the season.

“Likewise we would like to think we could do the same with Stacy.”

Former Albion favourite Hart has suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf injury which has kept him out for the last three matches.

Widdrington said: “I don’t think we will see Gary for the foreseeable future. He thought he would be okay for last Saturday but went out to do some work before the game and felt something go in his calf.

“He hasn’t been able to get back to where he was. I listen to Gary as to when he might play again.”

Simon Johnson, who missed his first game of the season in the 2-1 win at Gosport on Tuesday due to a tight hamstring, hopes to be fit to return today.

Manny Akokhia trained on Thursday and expects to be back while Charlie Gorman, who has missed the last two matches due to illness, also hopes to be in contention.

James Stinson (knee) is another week away from fitness.