Ashford boss Steve Lovell is willing to keep faith with youth as the club ride out a mini injury-crisis.

Lovell was without six first-team players last Saturday as his Ryman League Division 1 South strugglers got a point at Burgess Hill.

Ashford are preparing for a double-header local derby against Whitstable in the coming days and Lovell is hoping his inexperienced players can keep doing the business.

Lovell said: "The youngsters came in and did well and I’ll keep faith with them until the experienced players come back as it will hold them in good stead for the future.

"We had three 19-year-olds in the back four, three youngsters were sat on the bench and I had an 18-year-old in midfield.

"I’ve got no problem relying on youngsters when they can do a job and that’s what they are doing."

On Saturday they travel to bottom club Whitstable and follow that up with a home game against the same team next Wednesday. Lovell knows his side must come out of them with at least something to show.

He said: "Even at this stage, they are two important games for both sides. Because neither team are at the right end of the table it will add extra spice to the game."