Manager Jay Saunders is back in the frame for Maidstone’s FA Cup first qualifying round trip to Banstead Athletic on Saturday.

The Surrey side sit near the foot of the Combined Counties League Premier Division – a level below the Stones – and have won just three games this season.

Maidstone demolished Kent Hurlimann League Corinthian 9-0 in the previous round and fans are hopeful of a similar outcome when they travel to Surrey. The club are in red-hot form with Wednesday's 2-0 Ryman League, Division 1 South win over Walton & Hersham their fifth in a row.

Saunders, pictured, said: "After the Whitstable defeat we said we wanted to go on a run and that’s five wins in a row now. We’ve scored something like 20 and only conceded one."

However he insisted his players won't treat their opponents lightly.

"It is a cup game and form doesn’t mean a thing," he said. "I have been on the end of cup shocks in my time and they are no fun. As we did with Corinthian, we will try to be professional, give them their due respect and do what we need to do to get through."

Saunders is set to return to the bench after an Achilles and calf injury, while Alex Waugh could feature following an arm injury. Meanwhile, impressive full-back Tom Mills has signed a two-year deal and Saunders could also have a potential new signing ahead of the game.

He said: "I’m hoping to bring in an experienced guy who’s been playing in Conference South. He’s versatile, can play in a few different positions."