Deal manager Derek Hares is banking on his depleted squad’s strength of character to see off Sussex County League Arundel in Saturday’s FA Cup, extra preliminary round tie at the Oatmor Harris Stadium.

Hares was without six players when they beat fancied Greenwich Borough in Saturday’s Bulmers Cider Kent League campaign opener.

Though Jason Brazier is expected to return from injury to face the Mullets, Hares’ selection options remain limited.

Shane Suter (knee ligaments), Leon Ingram (heel), Mike Cassar (calf), Aaron Robinson (thigh) and Darren Waring (holiday) are again all out of the reckoning on Saturday.

"We showed a lot of spirit in coming from behind to Greenwich and we’ll need plenty more of the same if we’re to beat Arundel," said Hares.

"No manager likes to start a season with so many players injured or unavailable but it’s something we’ll have to live with for the time being.

"Darren will be available once he returns from holiday but I don’t know for how long we’ll be without the others."

Deal have the incentive of knowing that victory on Saturday will earn them another home draw, this time against Egham or Ringmer, and with it an even bigger dip in the Football Association’s prize money pool.