Jay Saunders always expected life in the Vanarama National League would be testing at times.

And the Maidstone boss is experiencing one of them at the moment, following back-to-back defeats against Eastleigh and Solihull Moors ahead of a tricky trip to sixth-placed Barrow on Saturday.

Saunders said: “We have had a tough start, and it’s going to be a tough month. There will be good weeks and weeks when we struggle, but we haven’t become a bad side overnight.

“I have never been under any illusions about how difficult it could be. We are playing week in, week out and a couple of the boys who have made the step up to this level could do with having a break, but we can’t do that until we have got everyone back.

“Then I might be able to look to add one or two more with a bit of experience.”

He added: “Barrow play a different style to other teams. They are direct and a big side who will get balls into our box.

"I am getting a report on them from the 1-1 draw against Macclesfield on Tuesday, and I am planning to watch videos of their last two matches."

Saunders hopes that Anthony Acheampong and Alex Flisher have a chance of returning to the side. Acheampong has recovered from a hamstring problem, but lacks game time, while Flisher has missed the last two matches with a knee injury.

Callum Driver faces several more weeks on the sidelines with a foot injury.