The importance of 36-year-old former Republic of Ireland World Cup central defender Gary Breen to the Barnet cause for the rest of the season was underlined today by Ian Hendon.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's game against Cheltenham Town at Underhill that can be construed as a "six pointer", Hendon said: "Gary Breen is a very important player for us and that is plain to see in the matches he plays in when compared to the matches when he doesn't.

"I hope he can keep his fitness between now and the end of the season".

Breen has been restricted by injury to 12 matches this season but has helped lift the performances of his fellow central defenders Joe Devera - the Bees' Man of the Match at Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday - and Ismail Yakubu when he has played. He was chosen for the League 2 Team of the Week on the Football League website after the 3-0 defeat of Aldershot Town at the weekend.

Yakubu misses tomorrow's game with his continuing back problem but Hendon welcomes back to the squad 18-year-old Clovis Kamdjo after his long injury lay-off.

The former Reading youth team captain was called in to replace Breen when he was injured in November but, in the next game against Hereford United, Kamdjo was himself injured in a block tackle.

He needed an operation for medial collateral ligament and cartilage damage and has missed the last 15 games. Kamjdo may be on the bench tomorrow ... but Hendon plans to arrange a game next week to help him back to match fitness.

Australian central defender Daniel Leach is on loan at Andy Hessenthasler's Dover Athletic for a month "to get some games in".

Dennis Signy