Reliable goalkeeper Ashley Harrison is likely to return from a neck injury and start between the sticks for City at Welling United on Tuesday night, kick-off 7:45pm, after regular custodian Craig Holloway was mutually placed on the Transfer List following discussions with Head Coach, Glenn Pennyfather.

The former Arsenal stopper, who has been almost ever-present in the Clarets’ goal when fit this season, could be on the move after it was resolved a parting of ways was best for all concerned. Glenn revealed: “Craig’s not been at his best lately and hasn’t been enjoying his football. We had a chat and decided to part company as there’s no doubt he’s a good goalkeeper, it just hasn’t happened for him at Chelmsford City. We’ll be in the market for another ‘keeper, but Ashley is also more than capable in that position.”

Although Holloway remains available for selection, he is likely to assume a place on the bench at most while City look to return to form, sitting just a point from the top five. Pennyfather continued: “It’s best that Craig isn’t used at Welling as our discussions are still very recent. We’ll have another chat on Thursday at training to see where we are and he might still be in the frame for Saturday as he’s still currently our player.”

Elsewhere in the squad, it is mostly good news in terms of player fitness apart from the omission of utility player Simon Glover who, it has been discovered, suffered a double-break of his ankle in Saturday’s draw with Weston-super-Mare. He will be out of action for months, though Harrison comes back and midfielder Anthony Cook showed no adverse reaction during his return. Full-backs Steven Clark and Michael Haswell, who both carried knocks into the Weston fixture, are now deemed fully fit.

With Glover out long-term, however, players are thin on the ground for Pennyfather, who confirmed new signings are still looming. “There are a few names we’re pondering,” he said. “We’re on the lookout but I only want to bring players in if they’re better than what we’ve got. With injuries and players departing, we’re down to 15 senior players in our squad but this gives the likes of Ben Martin the chance to step up. Simon’s injury is a big disappointment as he was starting to look lively and is a great character.”

Welling are situated just behind the Clarets in the table, with three points less having played the same number of games. They drew 1-1 at high-flying Basingstoke Town at the weekend on the back of a midweek home victory over Hampton & Richmond. The previous weekend they were 3-0 winners over FA Cup heroes Staines Town though their home form has been mixed, with only one game not finishing in a result either way.

Glenn is keen to maintain a more well-drilled defence against The Wings, adding: “The statistics show we’ve lost just two games from twelve. One of those was against Stevenage and the other was at Bath where we didn’t deserve to lose. The factor that will see us come good, and it’s a word that keeps cropping-up, is ‘consistency’. We’re not defending well enough and I’ve been watching a lot of football over the weekend where teams like Chelsea just won’t let their opponents score. That’s how I want us to be.”

Welling United: Address: Park View Road, Welling, Kent, DA16 1SY. Phone: (020) 8301 1196. Position Last Season: 7th in the Blue Square South. Miles from Chelmsford: 37. Approx. Journey Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes. Nickname: The Wings. Team Colours: Red & White. Ground Capacity: 4,000 (1,500 Covered Terracing). Seats: 1,070. Official Website: www.wellingunited.com.

Travel Club Coach: Spaces are still available on the Travel Club coach, a return trip costing £10 for adults and £6 for under 16s. The Coach will depart the Clubhouse at 5:00pm and opposite the County Hotel at 5:15pm and details of how to book can be obtained by calling Mark Fleming on (07506) 873741, although turning-up at these times is likely to result in available seating.

Directions to Park View Road: Take the M25 to Junction 2. At the roundabout, take the A2 towards Central London. Leave the A2 at the third exit (Danson Interchange, signposted A221 to Bexleyheath and Sidcup). Turn right (second exit) at the roundabout at the end of the slip road, then turn right (third exit) at the next roundabout. Go under the A2 bridge and up the slope to another roundabout. Take the second exit and follow the road (Danson Road) to the traffic lights at the end. Turn left at the lights onto Park View Road. The ground is on the left. Nearest Train Station: Welling (0.7 miles).

Weather Forecast: Cloudy. 6 degrees Celsius. Wind 8 mph.

Blue Square Odds: Welling 11/8, Draw 12/5, Chelmsford 6/4 (correct at time of publication).