Boro boss Graham Westley admitted he was surprised at how quickly Mitchell Cole recovered from his recent ankle injury. The 23-year-old was stretchered off in a pre-season friendly against Peterborough United and Westley thought he would have to contend

Boro boss Graham Westley admitted he was surprised at how quickly Mitchell Cole recovered from his recent ankle injury.

The 23-year-old was stretchered off in a pre-season friendly against Peterborough United and Westley thought he would have to contend without the former Grays man for the first few games of the Blue Square Premier season.

But Cole demonstrated his powers of recovery to come on as a substitute in the 1-1 draw against Tamworth on Saturday and looks set to start against Hayes and Yeading tonight (Tuesday).

When asked if he was surprised at Cole's return, the Boro boss joked: "I had a coffin ready for him! He is a quick healer and perhaps the extent of the injury was not as bad as we first thought.

"It's always great to have him available. He is a real weapon for us and he creates opportunities through his pace and his quality."

Westley said he is looking for his side to improve upon Saturday's display when they travel to Church Road against another of the division's newly promoted teams.

Joel Byrom is suspended after his sending off against the Lambs although Lawrie Wilson could be back in contention after sustaining a minor injury.

"We will go to Hayes looking to be strong and resilient," added Westley. "We will be going there preparing to win and hoping that we can.

"If we get three points there on Tuesday then that would be fantastic. The early part of the season is always a funny time. It's a great leveller - everyone has got all their players fit.

"It's great to be unbeaten - the longer that run continues the better. We saw last year sometimes you have to learn to be unbeaten before you learn to win.