Jack Midson has called on Sheppey to show they have the heart and desire to win a Swale derby.

The Ites go to neighbours Sittingbourne in an all-ticket match on Tuesday (1pm), stung by recent criticism from fans.

Manager Midson is confident his side are made of the right stuff and it’ll be up to them to prove it.

Sittingbourne won the early-season Isthmian South East meeting at Holm Park 1-0 and there’s a score to settle.

“We didn’t do enough to win the home game,” said Midson, who should have leading scorer Warren Mfula available after illness.

“We let the fans down a little bit because it meant so much to them. Some of us didn’t realise how much it meant.

“We need to show that heart and desire on Tuesday and appreciate what it means to the fans.

“We’ve had some criticism online after recent results, which isn’t nice when you work so hard, but it can’t all be wrong.

“We owe it to the fans to be better than we were in the last Sittingbourne game.

“The heart and desire is there but once we’ve conceded bad goals the mentality drops and it can look like people aren’t trying even when they are.

“I know I have the heart and desire, I know the staff do and I know I’ve signed the right players.”

Recent signings Josh Wisson and Jake Embery could face their old club, having started their careers at Sittingbourne.

Both scored their first Sheppey goals in a 4-2 defeat against Haywards Heath on Saturday and played under Nick Davis during the Brickies manager’s previous spell in charge at Woodstock.

“Josh is the type of character we’re signing,” said Midson. “An honest, hardworking player who will run through brick walls for you.

“He’ll be the first to say he’s not as fit as he could be, where he’s had a spell not playing as much as he’d have liked.

“You’re reliant on people doing things in their own time to get fit, which I know Josh does because I’ve seen him going in the gym.

“You want players like Josh, who can play in multiple positions, available every game.

“Jake’s been a little unlucky since he signed but we know what he can do. He just needed a goal and now he’s got that hopefully he can go on a run

.

“He could have had a hat-trick in the first half on Saturday.

“He’s similar to Warren in that they’ve got that pace to get in behind defenders and score a goal out of nothing, whereas when I play I’m more of an aerial threat and I’ll drop deeper and get on the ball and link the play.”

Midson, who is weighing up whether to with start with a back three or a back four, may also be able to call on centre-half Dan Birch after injury.

He was due to turn out for the under-23s this week.

“He should be available,” said Midson. “He’s a lad who’s played over 100 games for Sheppey.

He’s the type of person you want in the squad - someone who knows about the rivalry with Sittingbourne.”

Sheppey are 12th in the table, with Sittingbourne 18th.

Tickets for the match are available here.