Sutton United manager Paul Doswell is anticipating a hard National League South match away to St Albans City this weekend.
United come into the match unbeaten in 13 league games since their defeat to Hayes & Yeading back in November.
St Albans are on a high themselves, despite being second from bottom in the league, after thrashing ten-man Whitehawk 6-0 last weekend followed by a mid-week win against Hemel Hempstead.
Doswell is feeling confident going forward following last weekend’s 4-1 win at home to Margate but knows this weekend’s match will not be easy.
Doswell said: “I thought the performance was one of the performances of the season against a very strong Margate side who they themselves have been on an extremely good run.
“Particularly pleased with the goals we scored and we are the top scorers in the league now so that is very important.
“But we watched St Albans play Whitehawk last weekend and watched them again on Tuesday night and it can be a tough game.
“They’ve only lost two games at home in the league, it’s away from home where they’ve struggled, so we are certainly going there aware that it’s going to be a tough match.”
Despite St Albans clinging on in 21st position, Doswell says his second-placed side are well aware of the quality in their opposition.
Doswell said: “Well they’ve obviously got the front two. I mean, Charlie MacDonald is a league player who scored four goals last weekend against Whitehawk and we know everything about Louie Theophanous.
“Lee Chappell has always been a good player with a bullet of a throw. Obviously they’ve brought in the two wide boys, Harry Anderson and Billy Gibson.
“I think I’m running through their whole team now but you know and I know that on our day we can be very competitive and an away point is a good point still in this league.
“It’s important we take nothing for granted.”
The United manager confirmed Jamie Slabber, Shaun Cooper and Stuart Fleetwood are in the squad heading to Clarence Park.
While Gary McAllister is still out injured, Dan Wishart is suspended following his sending off away to Basingstoke Town last month and Tommy Wright is dual registered at Staines Town.
“It’s very important the depth of the squad, we got found out in the play-offs two years ago when we finished second. We’re just determined not to do that again,” said Doswell.
“I think we’ve put so much into this season as a squad and as a club that we owe it to ourselves to have enough players and if that means one or two are not involved in the matchday squad then that will have to be the case.”
New signing Ryan Burge said he is enjoying his time at the club and hopes to help fulfil their ambition of promotion.
The midfielder has been without a club since June 2014 when he was released from Newport County.
The former Birmingham City man had unsuccessful trials in South Africa and at Cheltenham last year but has established himself as an instant hit with United after scoring on his debut against Margate last weekend.
“I’m enjoying it, I’ve not been here long but obviously first game we got a win so it’s so far so good,” Burge said.
“It’s always pleasing to get a goal but obviously getting the three points and the goal was an added bonus.
“My family were born in the area so I’ve got a few ties down here and obviously I haven’t been playing for a while so I said to the gaffer that I am interested in playing.
“I’m living locally and went to training and saw that they’re on a good thing here and got a good bunch of lads here.
“All the staff are friendly and it was something I want to be part of because I think they’ve got ambition and the club can go places.
“I want to win things, I’ve got a promotion already under my belt already so I want to try and help this club get promotion as well and with the results the other night it’s in our hands now.”
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