GRAVESEND & Northfleet start the defence of the BOSE sponsored Kent Senior Cup at home to Erith and Belvedere tonight minus seven established first-teamers.

Jimmy Strouts (food poisoning), Craig Wilkins (ankle), Jimmy Jackson (knee), Adrian Pennock (knee), Matt Lee (suspended), Nick Burton (work commitments) and Justin Skinner (foot) are all out of contention.

Strikers Louie Evans and Kevin Budge return to contention but manager Andy Ford's biggest problems remain in defence.

"It could be that I'll have to draft in some youngsters from our PASE youth scheme," he said. "I really don't know who'll be playing at the back."