Heed looking for a return to winning ways

GATESHEAD look to end a run of three consecutive home defeats when they host Dagenham and Redbridge tomorrow.

The Heed’s home and away form have been polar opposites in recent weeks and their last two games on Tyneside have been 1-0 reverses.

It is a trend which needs to stop against a Dagenham side thirdbottom in the Vanarama National League with just two wins from 14 games.

Nine of those have been defeats and the Daggers have lost six of their seven fixtures on the road.

Gateshead have picked up more points on their travels than at the International Stadium and they cannot afford to drop more points on home soil.

The Heed are ninth and could climb back into a play-off spot if they win.

It is the second game of the new scheme to charge adults only £10 and assistant manager Micky Cummins is keen to reward those who turn up.

Cummins said: “Teams will see our last three home games have been defeats and they will look at how teams have played against us and set up.

“I will anticipate Dagenham will do the same.

“They will sit in and look to counter-attack, so it is up to us to try and break them down.”

For former Port Vale and Rotherham midfielder Cummins, dictating the pace of the game will be key.

The Heed were too slow in possession during last week’s defeat against Eastleigh, particularly in the first half, and also lacked a bit of creativity.

Cummins added: “Dagenham will come and try to frustrate us, so the tempo needs to be there along with passing accuracy and being brave.”

Captain Scott Barrow should be available but tomorrow’s game may come too early for fellow leftsided player JJ O’Donnell, who has an ankle injury.

Striker Luke Armstrong has been undergoing extensive treatment at parent club Middlesbrough and is close to a return.

However, the former Blyth Spartans man will not be allowed to play until he is fully fit, with Scott Boden and Steven Rigg likely to continue up front for the Tynesiders tomorrow.