By Andrew Gidley

A crowd of at least 3,000 is expected at Stonebridge Road on Tuesday for the Christmas Blue Square Bet South derby between Ebbsfleet and Dartford.

The teams have already played each other this season, when it was honours even in August after a 1-1 draw at Princes Park. Michael West put Fleet ahead before Charlie Sheringham levelled from the spot in the sides' first meeting since April 1992.

Fleet have lost only once in 18 matches since.

Boss Liam Daish, pictured above, watched Dartford beat Crawley in the FA Trophy and said: "It was a strange game but Dartford showed a lot of spirit and scored a well-taken goal. The win will gear them up.

"I think we should have won up there (at Princes Park). It was a disputed penalty and we have come on since then."

Dartford manager Tony Burman, pictured right, scored for Darts in a 4-1 Southern League win over Gravesend on Boxing Day in 1983 and said: "I think the rivalry between the two clubs is as strong now as it was then and fans always enjoy the derbies."

Ebbsfleet expect striker Calum Willock to recover from a chest infection which would have kept him out of the postponed game at Staines.

Meanwhile, former Fleet youngster George Purcell could return to face his former club if Burman manages to extend his month’s loan from York. Danny Harris is his only injury worry with a thigh strain.