GRAVESEND & Northfleet manager Andy Ford is looking to compensate for the loss of Matt Lee for the rest of the season by taking another right-back on loan.

With Lee out of contention with a slipped disc, Ford moved for 25-year-old Brentford right-back Jay Lovett who has just finished a two-month loan spell with Nationwide Conference club Hereford.

Hereford manager Graham Turner allowed Lovett to return to Griffin Park after first choice Matt Clarke recovered from long-term injury. His last appearance for the club was in Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Scarborough where he came on as a 76th minute substitute.

Brighton-born Lovett cost Brentford £75,000 when he moved from Crawley in the 2000-01 season.

Providing there are no hitches, Lovett will make his home debut against fourth placed Morecambe on Saturday.

Francis Duku, whose last gasp equaliser earned the Fleet a priceless point from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Northwich, is set to keep his place at the heart of the defence even though Ford admits he rushed him back.

Duku has spent all season battling back from a career threatening broken leg sustained in a pre-season friendly at Weymouth.

"With Craig Wilkins injured, we threw Francis in and thankfully he got through on sheer adrenalin," said the Fleet boss. "Though we dropped two points, we were grateful for one.

"After Morecambe on Saturday, we've got important away games at Kettering, Leigh and Farnborough and it will be important that we pick up points."

Wilkins remains doubtful for Saturday's match because of a neck injury.