LEWES are hoping to welcome back three of their missing players for tonight's clash with Kettering.

Joe Keehan and Anthony Barness should return after being ruled out of Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Northwich due to ankle injuries.

Luke Rooney is also expected to be back after having to return home to Ireland due to a family illness.

However, Lewes look like being without David Wheeler as English Schools under-18s have requested he does not play as they have a Centenary Shield decider away to Republic of Ireland on Friday.

Chris Breach and Geoff Banks-Smith are also both missing due to ankle injuries.

Caretaker boss Steve Ibbitson remains positive going into the final two games of the season.

He said: “It gives us another opportunity to learn a bit more about our young players.

“We approached the game with Altrincham, who were well placed in the table, with a 'We can win' attitude and we will go into this one in the same frame of mind. If you don't do that, you haven't got a hope in hell.”

Kettering have injury problems of their own to an extent where manager Mark Cooper may come out of retirement to play some part in the game.

Kettering, who can no longer make the play-offs, could be without Darren Wrack, Brett Solkhon, John Dempster and top scorer Gareth Seddon.