Faversham will consider rotating their squad in the Kent Senior Trophy - but Tommy Warrilow insists they still intend to take the competition seriously this season.

The title-chasing Southern Counties East Premier Division side will host divisional rivals Rusthall in the first round on Saturday.

While Town might use the game as a chance to give some key players a rest, they should still have enough squad depth to go far in the competition.

Boss Warrilow said: “It was a hard game on Tuesday night.

“We’ll see how everyone recovers and think about what we will do for Saturday. Whatever team we put out, it's not a weakened side. We have even got some under-23s we have used already this year.

“Obviously, promotion is the aim for everybody at the start of the season. But everything is going well for us, the crowds are on the up and we want to make sure we continue that.

“If you can make a cup final at the end of the season, it’s a massive day out for everyone at the club. It’s certainly not a case of ‘I’m not that bothered about it [the Kent Senior Trophy]’.

“If you do well in cups, everyone knows that can have a knock-on effect on your league schedule. But we haven’t got games over Christmas.

“We have matches on [December] 28 and [January] 4 - but nothing on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. So, there will be enough time for the players to recuperate.

“We have a good, honest, squad and will just keep chalking them off.

“I’d rather have a game than have the boys in for training.”

Vastly-experienced Ian Draycott, who joined Faversham from Ashford last month, is among the players to not start for the Lilywhites in a competitive match this term.

Warrilow noted: “He had a run-out with the under-23s the other week but he’s not had a 90-minute [first-team] game for a long time.

“I expect those who come in to do well but, also, for them to be rusty because they have not had 90 minutes for a while.

“Even when they’re coming on in games, they want to make an impact - but they haven’t been playing football, so that’s hard.

“They just need to try to come in and perform well.”

Faversham battled to a 1-0 league victory at Snodland on Tuesday night, having seen off Fisher 3-1 as in-form two-goal striker Tashi-Jay Kwayie and defender Matt Newman did the damage on Saturday.

On the success at Snodland, Warrilow reflected: “Second half, I lost track of how many chances we have not taken!

"Their keeper pulled off some great saves and you’re just worried about the inevitable [Snodland equaliser].

“It was a horrible night but the players dug in and saw the game out. Not disrespecting Snodland by any means because it’s never going to be any easy game against them. They’re a young squad and they have got a structure that they play to.

“But really, we should have been out of sight.”

The only goal in midweek was a scrappy one. It was eventually given to striker Johan Caney-Bryan after Kwayie and then captain Callum Davies had initially been credited as having scrambled the set-piece in.

But Warrilow said: “The nice thing for us was that it came from a set-piece.

“I don’t know if it was Cal’s or Joh’s. If it’s Cal’s, it’s Cal’s.

“If it’s Joh’s, it’s Joh’s - for me, it’s just a massive goal.”

Newman received two quick yellow cards at Snodland as he was sent off late on.

“I thought he was harshly done-by,” the manager said.

“The first one, there were two tackles before that and it happened in front of the dugout, which didn’t help. With the second one, he pulled out - but I don’t think the referee saw that from his angle.

“The second was probably worth a chat but, ultimately, it’s not for me to decide.”

Newman’s imminent suspension comes at a bad time after he had only recently broken back into the team.

Warrilow said: “He has been first class.

“Even when he hasn’t been in the side, his attitude has been excellent. It’s only two yellows so it should be a one-game ban.

"We just didn’t need that - but it was sort of the way the game was going.

“He’s a good lad. I’ve known Matt for a long time.

“We sat him in front of the defence on Tuesday, purely because we knew it was going to be that sort of night.”

Warrilow also commented on the dual-registration departure of midfielder Henry Muggeridge, who has returned to Crowborough Athletic.

“I’ve known Henry since he was 18,” he revealed. “I took him to Tonbridge from Bristol City.

“I’ve always kept in touch with him over the years.

"It’s just not worked out - but that doesn’t mean he’s a bad player.”