DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has reiterated the need to sign another defender - even with Tyrone Sterling and Kenny Clark returning to full fitness.

Sterling had been missing with a hamstring injury but managed to come through a large part of Tuesday’s 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet, as did Clark.

However, Burman believes these injuries only served to show a lack of depth to his squad and the Princes Park boss is keen to make sure it does not happen again.

“Tyrone Sterling is back from injury and so is Kenny Clark after a couple of niggling injuries,” he said.

“They both came through tonight unscathed.

“That doesn’t take away from the fact we only have four recognised defenders at the moment, though.

“The injuries showed we need more cover.

“For the league we’re in, we don’t have the means to have a massive squad.

“Like you need three or four forwards, you also need defenders and it’s an area I’d like to see if we can bring someone in.”

Elliot Bradbrook’s late header rescued a draw for the hosts, who were unlucky not to be leading at half-time having hit the bar numerous occasions before Billy Bricknell put the Fleet ahead.

It was the fifth pre-season game for the Darts and they have yet to win one, but Burman is not too worried by that stat.

He explained: “The game went very well.

“It was competitive, with both teams getting stuck in, but it was very positive.

“I’m not concerned about not winning.

“We’ve put a lot of work in and we’ve got a lot out of games.

“Like today, we played well and were unlucky not to be leading at half-time.

“We know we’ve played well, so it doesn’t cause us any problems if we’ve lost a game.”

Burman added: “If we’d played badly, that would be different, but I’m really encouraged by what’s happened so far.

“We haven’t had a local derby in pre-season before but we’ll do it again next year, unless the two teams are in the same division, which hopefully we will be.

“I’m pleased with the performance and the work we’ve all put in.”

Burman also played down any suggestion Greenwhich Borough’s sharing of Princes Park this season would affect the pitch, saying the club will look after the surface as much as they can.

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