FORMER Southend United youngster Dan Walker is low on confidence, according to Great Wakering Rovers player-manager Steve Butterworth.

Walker has scored just one goal since joining Wakering from Isthmian North rivals Heybridge Swifts in October.

And Butterworth admits Walker, who was forced off the pitch soon after coming on as a substitute against Maldon & Tiptree due to a finger injury last week, has not had much luck since making the move to Burroughs Park.

“Dan came on as a substitute against Maldon but then had to come off soon after because he broke his finger,” said Butterworth.

“We haven’t had a lot of luck with Dan since he came in.

“He has been struggling with injuries and, when he has been playing, the goals haven’t been coming.

“Dan just needs a bit of confidence, like all strikers, because I know what he can do when he is in form and firing on all cylinders.

“He is low on confidence at the moment, but one goal can completely change his mindset.”

Ayo Odukoya is set to make his debut when Wakering head to Parkside to face Grays Athletic tomorrow.

Both sides are vying for a play-off spot, with Wakering just one point adrift and Grays in 11th spot, but Butterworth will be hoping the former Basildon United man will make the difference.

Connor Martin will also be eager to make a telling impact against his former club.

Martin joined Wakering last week and impressed on debut against table-toppers Maldon.

And the central defender is expected to maintain his place in Butterworth’s starting line-up.

“Connor did well,” added Butterworth.

“He hadn’t played a lot of games recently, but he came into the team seamlessly.

“Connor was at Brentwood Town with my assistant manager Craig Shipman last season and then went onto Grays Athletic and Aveley this season.

“Because of working with him at Brentwood, Craig recommended him to me and I was really pleased with his debut performance.

“I’m hoping that he will give us a bit of competition in that position because we didn’t have any centre-backs at the club other than Joe Heath and Ollie Woodhouse.

“We needed someone to challenge them and hopefully Connor will do that.”

Grays head into the clash having suffered four consecutive defeats.

“You could say it’s the best time to play them because they are in their worst form of the season,” admitted Butterworth.

“But their form will turn around sooner rather than later and you just hope it won’t be this weekend against us.”