Taylor could make instant return as Havant & Waterlooville aim to stretch their unbeaten away league run to 18 months at Billericay

It was back on April 22 2019 when the club last lost away in the league - 2-0 at Aldershot.

Last season Hawks were the only team in the top six tiers of English football still unbeaten on their travels when life went into lockdown.

Taylor has missed the first three games of the delayed 2020/21 season after being sent off for violent conduct in July’s National League South play-off loss to Dartford.

He was red carded towards the end of the first half for kicking out at an opponent. Hawks, leading 1-0 at the time, ended up losing 2-1.

The midfielder is available for the first time when Hawks travel to Billericay this weekend.

‘Josh has been a massive loss for us,’ said boss Paul Doswell.

‘He was brilliant in pre-season, he gives us a physical presence, he’s always fit.’

As well as bringing Taylor straight back into the side, Doswell could also recall Moussa Diarra at centre half.

Diarra started last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Maidstone but, having only just returned from injury, was on the bench for the midweek FA Cup win against Chatham.

Craig Robson was brought in alongside Sam Magri in Diarra’s place.

Billericay have yet to score a goal, let alone win a point, in their two NLS games so far.

A 2-0 opening day loss at New Lodge against Tonbridge Angels was followed by a 2-0 defeat at Bath City last weekend.

Former England defender Paul Konchesky, 39, started against Tonbridge. He returned to Billericay as assistant manager to ex-Pompey midfielder Jamie O’Hara in the summer, having previously played for the club in 2016/17.

O’Hara made a string of summer signings, including ex-Peterborough and Crystal Palace keeper Dion Curtis-Henry.

One-time Pompey loanee Frankie Sutherland and defender Lawrie Wilson joined from Ebbsfleet United, while striker Shamir Fenelon arrived from National Leaguers Maidenhead United.

Dartford winger Luke Wanadio, who scored in last season’s play-off win at Slough Town, was another new signing.

Billericay were 17th out of 22 clubs when 2019/20 went into lockdown, just two points adrift of second-bottom Braintree.

But they did have games in hand, and they also boasted a fine home record - only losing once at New Lodge in 14 games.

That was to Hawks on March 3, Jonah Ayunga scoring the only goal in the first half.

Doswell, meanwhile, is aiming to extend his remarkable away record.

He has not lost any of his last 33 away league matches in the sixth tier of English football.

In 2015/16, his Sutton United side won 14 and drew two of their last 16 away games in National League South.

And last season Hawks won 11 and drew six of their 17 away games.