EAST Thurrock United will field a number of trialists when they go head-to-head with Great Wakering Rovers in the second round of the Essex Thameside Trophy tonight.

The competition is back in full swing having returned following an 11-season hiatus.

But, with Rocks already having a threadbare squad, boss John Coventry is set to give some unfamiliar faces the chance to stake a claim for a place in his squad at the Grayers Graphics Stadium.

“As a manager, you get lots of phone calls from various players asking for trials and we have had some trialists training with us,” said Coventry.

“They have been waiting for this moment and there will not be many names that people will recognise.

“It will be a very different side to the one we had on show against Leatherhead at the weekend.

“I think it’s a competition where any club will use it as an opportunity to look at different players.”

Rocks will go into the contest following a 3-0 victory over Leatherhead.

Wakering, meanwhile, will make the trip following a 1-1 derby draw with Canvey Island.

Kojo Apenteng made a goalscoring debut in the Isthmian North clash and player-manager Steve Butterworth hopes the winger will build on his fine display.

“Kojo has joined us from Barking and they are not involved in the competition, so he isn’t cup-tied,” said Butterworth.

“I’m hoping that he will be able to build on his debut performance because, before Saturday, he hadn’t played for a few weeks.”