Daish praises McKimm for battling against career threatening injury

Nationwide Conference club Gravesend & Northfleet are pleased to announce that Steve McKimm has been given the green light to resume full training, reports www.gnfc.co.uk

McKimm has shown great resilence in fighting his way back from his serious knee injury and it is a mark of his tenacity and character that he is back on the verge of competitive football.Fleet manager Liam Daish, who takes his side to Southern League Division One East Boreham Wood in the second round of the FA Trophy next Saturday, said: "Steve is a credit to the club.  He suffered a very bad injury and has never wavered in his quest to get playing again.

"It was a very similar injury that spelled the end of my career and I have nothing but admiration for the way that he has fought his way back."

Meanwhile, former Margate defender Graham Porter has been sent to Nationwide South outfit Maidenhead United on loan for a month.

Daish explained: "Graham has struggled with injury all season and now injury free needs games to recover his full match fitness.

"I'm sure that after a spell playing regular first team football he will be back pushing for a place in our starting line-up."

Speaking about their 1-0 defeat at Exeter City on Saturday, Daish added: "It is disappointing to lose but I can't ask anymore from the players than that. 

"Our goalkeeper made a couple of saves byt we defended well and restricted them to long range shots, which is pleasing for a defender and pleasing for a manager.

"We had some great chances and when you come away to a place like Exeter you need to put those away.

"But I told the players at the end that I was proud of them."

Tenth placed Fleet were undone thanks to City's leading marksman Lee Phillips' strike eleven minutes from time.