Familiar faces set to return from injury as Hawks start FA Trophy campaign at Welling

The central defensive duo are in line for minutes in a second round trip to National League South rivals Welling United.

And midfielder Paul Rooney is also set to play some part - his first competitive action since suffering an ankle ligament injury in August.

The likes of Gianni Crichlow and loanee Tomas Kalinauskas will also be handed much-needed game time at Park View Road.

And right-back Joss Passley could also feature, having missed the last couple of games with a hamstring injury.

Magri made an ‘emotional’ return as a late second half sub in Tuesday’s superb 3-0 NLS win at Chippenham.

His last outing for Hawks had been in the FA Cup first round loss at Charlton over a year earlier.

Magri’s only other appearances since then had been a handful of outings on loan at Gosport Borough.

‘It was quite emotional seeing Mags come back,’ said Doswell. ‘It was brilliant for all of us, he’s a big part of the club.

‘Huge credit must go to the physios, in particular Jake Travis - physios don’t often get praise but they deserve it.

‘It’s 100 per cent like a new signing (Magri returning), though it will take him a month or two to get back to his absolute best.’

With Joash Nembhard currently out with a foot injury, Hawks have been forced to deploy goalscoring midfielder Jake McCarthy in central defence alongside skipper Joe Oastler.

Nembhard is realistically out until mid-January, meaning the return to fitness of Magri and Collins could not be better timed. Rooney can also play central defence, but Hawks see him primarily as a midfielder.

The Trophy is obviously not Hawks’ main priority this season, but Doswell said: ‘It’s an important game for the club.

‘There’s the prize money (£3,750 for second round winners) and as you know every penny is a prisoner at the moment.

‘I say it every year, for players at our level this is the best chance they have of playing at Wembley.’

Strikers Danny Wright and Jason Prior have been combining to give Doswell 90 minutes in recent weeks as they work their way back to match fitness.

Wright now feels ‘totally fine’ while Doswell believes Prior will be at the same level in a fortnight’s time.

The Trophy tie is Hawks’ second visit to Welling this season, after Prior’s late leveller had given them a 2-2 NLS draw in late September.

Going into the game, Welling had won five out of six in the league. But the Hawks draw kickstarted a run of only one win in 10 NLS outings.

No such concerns for the Hawks, whose win at Chippenham took them level on points with leaders Ebbsfleet, albeit having played a game more.

‘For me, it was our best performance and result of the season combined,’ Doswell enthused. ‘It was an outstanding performance right the way through.

‘I’m very pleased. We’ve got a really good bunch and they seem to be enjoying each other’s company - and winning helps!’