Billy Johnson says avoiding another injury layoff is as important to him as scoring goals for Great Wakering Rovers this season.

Johnson has made more than 150 appearances for the club, despite being a first-team player at Burroughs Park for more than six years.

The midfielder, 27, has been hit by a number of injuries in that time, but he has been thriving in Rovers colours this term.

He has scored five goals in the last six games, playing a slightly more advanced role in Dan Trenkel’s team and he says, if he stays fit, he has a lot to offer this year.

“I am always injured,” laughed Johnson. “You only need to ask Trenks and he will tell you how often I am out. I have had ankle injuries, leg injuries, knee injuries. I have missed a whole season through injury in the past so to be playing so much is really helping my match sharpness.

“I have been on holiday before and been injured by a bottle cap! It came flying off and cut open my knee, damaging the nerves so I’ve had a few injuries in my time.

“I really enjoy scoring goals,” he said. “It is great for me personally but if I can help the team and stay fit at the same time then that is even better.

“I am playing in quite an advanced role and it is hard work but it is a job I enjoy and I get a lot of enjoyment out of playing in this team.”

Johnson, who has previously played for Billericay Town’s reserve side, travels to fourth-placed Brentwood Town this weekend with Rovers and he says he is hoping to overcome a personal hoodoo at the Brentwood Centre.

In six previous games at the ground, he is yet to register a win but he is confident of bringing that run to an end tomorrow.

“I haven’t done too well there in the past,” said Johnson. “I don’t know what it is about that place but we need to go there and continue our good form.

“We lost 2-1 to them earlier in the season and didn’t deserve to lose that day. Their form isn’t great at home (four wins in ten matches) and we need to be taking advantage of that.

“The team is doing well at the moment,” he added. “The results are picking up and we played particularly well against Needham Market last week. We deserved to win that game and that was against the best team in the division so far so that shows how we have progressed this year.

“We need to show our quality again tomorrow.”

*Dan Trenkel expects to bring in Liam Nash on loan from Billericay Town in time for the game.

Billy Radley is out for two weeks (hamstring), while Stuart Hepburn and Max Kent are unavailable. Tony Jacobs and skipper Lewis Sparrow are expeted to be fit for the game.