Crocked midfielder Neil Barrett is confident Ebbsfleet will be able to cope with his absence against Stevenage tomorrow and overturn his side s 3-2 defeat from the FA Trophy semi-final first leg. Barrett got Fleet back in the tie last weekend with a brav

Crocked midfielder Neil Barrett is confident Ebbsfleet will be able to cope with his absence against Stevenage tomorrow and overturn his side's 3-2 defeat from the FA Trophy semi-final first leg.

Barrett got Fleet back in the tie last weekend with a brave header that left him with a fractured jaw and depressed cheekbone after an accidental collision with Mark Roberts and believes his team-mates will complete the comeback at Stonebridge Road.

Barrett was knocked out in scoring his goal and admitted the first he knew about it was when team-mate Paul McCarthy told him in the dressing room.

"All I can remember is being stretchered off, I didn't even know I had scored," he told the News Shopper.

"It wasn't until we got back in the dressing room that Paul told me the news.

"We then got it back to 2-2, so it was slightly disappointing to hear we had conceded a late winner.

"However, there is only one goal in it and we know with the ability we have in our squad that we are capable of turning it around this weekend."

Barrett underwent a successful operation on Sunday evening to repair the damage to his face but will now have to sit out the rest of the season while he recuperates.

Despite this, he still plans to be at Stonebridge Road tomorrow for the crucial second encounter with Boro.

"The operation went very well and I'm planning to be there," added Barrett. "To reach the final last year was a magnificent achievement, but to do it two years in a row would be unbelievable.

"Obviously I will not be involved if we make it to Wembley because I won't have recovered for a good three months.