Boss Steve Lovell is hopeful of having a long-awaited Herne Bay selection headache this Saturday.

Bay will visit fellow Isthmian South East strugglers Lancing after last weekend’s scheduled trip to Erith Town was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Lovell, instead, got his troops together to train and may be clear of injury and suspension issues for the first time in months.

He said: “It wasn’t too bad because we got all the players in and trained on Saturday.

“We will train again this week and hopefully, come Saturday, we will have a full squad to choose from for the first time in about three months.

“It will be good to have that headache!”

As Herne Bay look to climb up the table in the second half of the campaign, they have recently signed striker Lauric Diakiesse and young midfielder Freddie Oliver while young defender Joel Odeniran has rejoined from Folkestone.

Lovell said: “I’ve signed a couple. They have gone straight in and done well.

“We have been able to train and they’ve got to know the players a bit better. Our squad has always been a good squad since the start of the season.

“Losing a few to suspension and injuries, that has really hurt us. But - like with most clubs - when you have got everyone fit, you have about 20 players.

“It’s incredible how you can go from having 12 players to 20 quite quickly.

“That’s just the way it is in non-league football. It’s no coincidence our lack of form has run alongside the injuries and suspensions we have had.

“When everyone is fit, I know I’ve got a very good squad.”

Teenager Odeniran has headed back to Winch’s Field for a second spell with the club this season on loan from Folkestone and started in the 2-1 home defeat to Margate on New Year’s Day.

He was recalled by the Isthmian Premier side in October but hasn’t played for Andy Drury’s team lately.

“Joel’s a good signing,” noted Lovell. “We didn’t want him to go in the first place but, obviously, he’s a Folkestone player. He did well for us against Margate.

“He gives us a little bit of balance on the left-hand side.

“He’s a good young lad. I think he’s got a great future in the game and I think we can help him with that.

"He’ll be a good acquisition.”

A goal in either half put Margate in control against Herne Bay in front of a crowd of 652 and, while attacking midfielder Kane Haysman’s third goal in as many matches gave the hosts hope of a comeback, they ended up empty-handed.

Lovell reflected: “It was so disappointing.

“They scored two worldies, with pretty much their only two shots on goal, but we had the majority of the game.

“We hit the post and their keeper [Reece Hobbs] made some great saves so I was quite pleased with the performance, just not the result. We played really well but were just lacking a little bit of quality in the final third.

“In games against them, Ramsgate and Sittingbourne, we have played well and still not come away with anything, which is amazing, really.

“But we know Margate are a good side and, if we play like that for the rest of the season, I’m sure we will be fine.

“Obviously, we just need to start winning more games.”

Young defender Frankie Smith was unable to complete the match against Margate after coming on for captain Liam Friend in the first half.

But Lovell confirmed: “He’s all right. It wasn’t his knee.

“He just had a bit of a calf issue and, because of his knee injury, that’s sort of had a bit of an impact on other parts of his body.

"We just need to be a bit careful.”

While Bay have collected just 24 points from 23 league fixtures, they’re still six points ahead of Lancing - and have a game in hand.

Lovell said: “They’re all big games now.

“We have got Lancing away, then Merstham at home next weekend, and they’re all good games for us.

“It doesn’t really matter who you’re playing against because, in this league, every game is a challenge.

“Hopefully, we’ll have a full squad to choose from. They have picked up a bit lately, as well, so it’s going to be another tough game.

"We’ll approach it correctly and see how it goes.”