Punjab United top scorer Jack Hopkins on injury comeback of team-mate - and cousin - Lea Dawson, dreams of playing at Wembley final and the club’s league play-off bid

Jack Hopkins has more reason than most to be happy as Punjab United team-mate Lea Dawson closes in on a long-awaited return to full fitness.

Club captain Dawson ended a 522-day wait to be involved in a matchday squad in the 1-0 FA Vase home quarter-final victory against 10-man Downton last weekend.

It came after the former Cray Wanderers, Horsham and VCD man had been out injured with an ACL injury since September 2024 and, although he was, ultimately, an unused substitute, he did make a second-half appearance in their midweek 2-0 league defeat at Hollands & Blair.

While the majority of those at the Steve Cook Stadium will be thrilled to see Dawson back, Hopkins has extra reason to be pleased for his fellow midfielder.

He said: “Daws is my older cousin, as well! I love him to bits.

“He’s there off the pitch, and on it, and we’re the best of mates so I’m thrilled to have him back.

“He has got a massive part to play. Just having him back in the changing room, he’s been a massive part of my football career and my life.

“So, I’m buzzing to have him back in the squad.”

There are plenty of other family connections at the Southern Counties East League Premier Division side, too.

Right-sided player Chris Edwards is another cousin of Hopkins and Dawson while skipper Owen Bushell and keeper Wayne Bushell are brothers.

“There are five sort of family units within the squad,” Hopkins said.

“That just shows you the togetherness. But everyone is the same, everyone is together, everyone is in the same boat, and there aren’t any bad eggs.

“Everyone is quality.”

Hopkins conceded Chipie Sian’s side were not at their best in the win over Downton that has left them in the final four of the national competition for the first time in the club’s