DESPITE a number of injuries Mersea Island RFC skipper Jon Williams is confident ahead of their clash with Southwold.

Mersea are on the road today for their Eastern Counties division one match but the Islanders will be without a number of players.

Prop Andrew Cawthray picked up an injury in a mixed seconds and first team friendly at Stowmarket last week and they will also be missing another prop and a few additional players.

However, players are returning from injury and Williams, who has also been out, may well be on the bench this weekend.

Williams said: “We have picked up a few knocks over the last couple of weeks.

“But we have Andrew Windridge coming back in as well as Stu Bradshaw and they can both slot in anywhere in the forwards.

“Also, it’s also pleasing that Andy Khan, who has just become a dad, has also put himself forward for selection.

“Those three players will definitely bolster the side.”

Mersea were without a game last Saturday following their 22-13 victory against Harwich and Dovercourt the week before.

Harwich and Dovercourt, however, were in action, beating Southwold 26-7.

Williams added: “It would have been nice to keep our momentum going after the Harwich win but it has enabled a few players to come back in to the side.

“To be fair to Harwich it was their first league game of the season and we had already got our campaign under way the week before.

“However, I do know a lot of the Harwich players and have been questioning them about their match with Southwold.”

Looking ahead to today’s game Williams said: “The biggest factor for us at Southwold is that they have a narrow pitch and we play an expansive game.

“They are used to the size of their pitch and will try and use their big pack to their advantage, as well as their two burly centres.

“But I am confident that we can go there and get something from the game.”

Looking at the division in general, Williams believes that the top spots are up for grabs.

He said: “The league is much like it was last season.

“I don’t think there is an out and out pace setter.

“It is a very open division.

“As long as we can be consistent and have players available and keep the injuries down I think we can do very well this season.”