Steve King will give opposite number Scott Porter maximum respect as Deal tonight aim to keep their perfect home league record intact against Hollands & Blair.

The second-placed Hoops have taken maximum points from their first five Southern Counties East Premier Division matches this season at the Charles Sports Ground.

But Blair, managed by former Whitstable and Hythe manager Porter, are seventh and unbeaten in five league fixtures themselves.

Deal manager King said: “Any Scott Porter side is always going to present a tough challenge.

“If you look at their points record since he came in, I think that was last November, they are probably in the top six. They got to a cup final [losing 2-1 to promoted Sheppey United in the Kent Senior Trophy] and they are five unbeaten.

“They will get our full respect. But we have won five from five at home and we will look to continue that.

“If we are at our best, we’ve certainly got enough to win the game. But nobody needs to tell me how good a Scott Porter side is.”

• Home ground boost for Hollands & Blair

Ben Chapman was influential as Deal drew 2-2 at Tunbridge Wells on Saturday.

He netted their first goal and won a penalty for their second, frontman Aaron Millbank putting away the spot-kick off the bench, before Tunbridge Wells equalised not long after to earn a share of the spoils.

That result came after the Hoops had beaten Whitstable 2-1 last Tuesday, late goals from captain Kane Smith and Jack Penny flipping the game on its head.

Recently-signed striker Dean James isn't available to face his former club due to an agreement between the two teams.