Ebbsfleet manager Steve Brown has laughed off the suggestion that Saturday is a good time for his side to meet injury-hit Dartford.

Despite playing in the league below their local rivals, the Fleet start the FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie as slight favourites.

Darts have been missing several key players in recent weeks and Ebbsfleet have won their last four games at Stonebridge Road.

But Brown said: "Derby games, especially in the FA Cup, are a complete lottery. It comes down to whichever team gets the bit between their teeth on the day.

"Form goes out of the window. Dartford have got two or three very good players and they’ve got a strong squad.

"We’re fully aware of them. They’ve got one or two injury problems but they’ve got one or two coming back as well."

Brown, still only 17 games into his management career, has found himself firmly in the spotlight ever since the cup draw was made last Monday.

"My approach and the players’ approach will be the same," he said.

"The difference is all the attention and I’m well aware of that.

"Most days, somebody’s saying something about the cup tie. Everybody on the outside, the media and the supporters, is making me and Tony (Burman) fully aware of what a mouth-watering cup tie it is."

Andy Pugh, who has extended his loan from Cambridge United for another month, is ruled out as his parent club don’t want him cup-tied.

Joe Howe (groin) is also unlikely to play but Alex Osborn (shin) is expected to be fit after being rested for the trip to Bishop's Stortford on Tuesday.

Read all the FA Cup build-up in the Gravesend Messenger and Dartford Messenger.