Nick Davis is about to discover how Sittingbourne will cope without two of their most important defensive players.

Boss Davis has known all summer that centre-half George Crimmen and holding midfielder Jono Richardson would be on holiday at the start of the Ryman League Division 1 South season.

Crimmen misses the first three games while Richardson isn’t available until September.

Brickies open at Kent rivals Herne Bay on Saturday (3pm) and host Hastings at Woodstock Park on Tuesday (7.45pm).

Davis is still considering who will deputise for Crimmen and Richardson but has ruled out a comeback himself.

He said: "I did think about playing but I’ve got too much on my mind as a manager.

"We’ve got enough options and now we’re going to find out if we can deal with it."

Brickies will also be without Hicham Akahzzan (holiday) and Stefan Wright (suspended) for the first two games.

Read the full story in the Sittingbourne News Extra.