Manager Jay Saunders is in two minds whether a break has done Maidstone good.

United’s home game against Sutton tonight (Tuesday) will be their first match in 17 days after two blank weekends.

It’s halted momentum after a five-match unbeaten run in the National League but the players will be fresh against a Sutton side who have been catching up on games after their FA Cup exploits.

Saunders' side remain outside the bottom four in 19th place, two points clear of Woking, with two games in hand.

He said: “You always have that little concern but there’s two ways of looking at it.

“You’d like to think the boys will be fresh and be up for it and eager to go but it’s a difficult one.

“Sutton are a good side, they’re playing catch-up a little bit so you hope that tiredness plays a part but sometimes when you’re playing and you’re in good rhythm, it helps.”

Stuart Lewis is available after a ban and it will be difficult to leave him out, although Jake McCarthy did well against Southport.

Lewis has made a big impact since joining on loan from Ebbsfleet and is a player United would like to keep.

Saunders said: “It’s hard to leave your experienced players out.

“It’s tricky but since Stuart’s come here, he’s been one of the big reasons why our form’s turned around.

“He’s someone I’d love to keep next year and Reece Prestedge is another one.

“All the boys who’ve come in on loan we’d be interested in keeping but we’ll have to see.

“We do a lot of homework on what people are like as characters because I that’s a big part of it.

“You can get loan players who come in and don’t really want to be here and we’ve probably had one or two of them in the past but with these lads we’ve got, they all want to be here.”

The new North Stand opens tonight and Saunders can't wait to take in the atmosphere.

United fans have made the most of big stands on their travels this season and the manager wants to hear plenty of noise on the 1,700-capacity terrace.

He said: "Although it’s gone up quickly, it’s been a long time talking about it and now it’s finally happening. I know the players are looking forward to it.

"With a stand like that, with the roof, we saw the noise level it makes at Dagenham the other week and hopefully it will be full.

"The game's not segregated and with Sutton bringing a few, there should be plenty of noise and hopefully it will be a good occasion."