Billericay Town v Maidstone United

Maidstone United will look to keep in touch with the chasing pack at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division when they travel to Billericay on Saturday, the first of four successive games against Essex opposition for the Stones.

Jay Saunders will be back after injury and suspension to skipper the side, but injured pair Nathan Paul (broken thumb) and Elliott Bradbrook (thigh) join captain Ben Lewis on the casualty list. Stones' joint manager Alan Walker is concerned about the central defender, who is due to see a specialist about a major disc problem after suffering the same injury last season.

But Ian Cox, Ian Selley, Roland Edge and Andy Walker are all set to return at the weekend as the Stones aim to stay in play-off contention, with just seven points separating as many clubs. Billericay moved up four places to 10th with a 1-0 win at Horsham in midweek.

On Monday, Stones begin their Isthmian League Cup campaign against an Aveley side going well in Ryman League Division 1 North, just a point behind leaders Ware.