Sutton Host Old Foes Eastleigh

After Tuesday's heady FA Cup triumph against AFC Wimbledon, Sutton return to league action on Saturday as Paul Doswell's former club Eastleigh visit Gander Green Lane.

Eastleigh are currently twelfth in the National League table, three places and five points above Sutton. The ambitious Hampshire club are already on their third manager of the season, Martin Allen having succeeded Ronnie Moore last month. They come into this match having won only one of their last six league games, and they lost 5-1 at Brentford in the third round of the Cup.

Sutton lost 2-1 at Eastleigh in September, Sutton's consolation goal that afternoon being scored by Ross Stearn who then signed for the Spitfires in November. Both Eastleigh's goals came from midfielder Luke Coulson who has just moved to Allen's previous club Barnet.

Allen's last brought a team to Sutton in December 2011 when his Notts County side won 2-0 in the second round of the Cup.

Sutton will be without captain Jamie Collins who starts a two-match suspension following his yellow card on Tuesday evening. Midfielder Nicky Bailey, who missed Tuesday's game with a back problem, may be rested again, while left back Ben Jefford could still be sidelined. Sutton might choose not to play Simon Downer and Craig Eastmond who, like Bailey, are one booking away from a suspension that would mean missing the fourth round FA Cup tie against Leeds United. That could bring opportunities for Louis John and Craig Dundas in defence and midfield respectively. There is also the possibility of debuts for recent signings Afolabi Coker and Baboye Traore. Dean Beckwith, Dan Spence, Craig McAllister and Matt Tubbs are all set to face one of their former clubs.

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