Nikki Bull has identified a former team-mate as the likely dangerman ahead of Margate's Vanarama National League South game against Hayes and Yeading at Maidenhead on Saturday.

Much travelled forward Elliot Benyon is Hayes's top scorer this season with with eight goals, including the winner in their 1-0 home win over promotion-chasing Maidstone in December.

He and Bull's paths crossed when they were both at Wycombe Wanderers in 2011, and the Gate boss says the 28-year-old hitman, whose previous league clubs also include Torquay, Southend and Swindon, has a real eye for goal.

Bull said:"They (Hayes) don't score many goals but Elliot is a real threat. I was with him at Wycombe. He had just got his move from Torquay to Swindon and they allowed him to go on loan to Wycombe.

"He doesn't look the most likeliest centre-forward but he is a real handful and his record at this level is good."

Before Bull's appointment at Hartsdown in December, Margate and Hayes might have been considered relegation rivals, but, after just one defeat in eight, the Blues have climbed to 10th whereas their rivals are 19th, just one place and one point outside the drop zone.

On Friday afternoon Bull was named as the Vanarama National League South Manager of the Month for January after claiming 10 points from a possible 15 in the month, including all three in a famous win at champions elect Ebbsfleet.

Garry Haylock's side have won just twice at home all season - the last of those being the Maidstone game - but their pitch has a tendency to get heavy and Bull says that will make Saturday's game a test of stamina as well as skill.

He said: "I think they struggle, obviously sharing the pitch with Maidenhead, and the ground is notorious for getting heavy.

"Having seen the highlights of their recent game with Hemel Hempstead (a 1-1 draw on January 23 in their only league game this year) the pitch does look like a bit of a bog, so it will very much be a case of whichever side applies themselves best will come out on top."

Defender Jake Goodman is Gate's only injury worry for the trip to Berkshire. The 22-year-old took a whack near his kidneys in the opening moments of last weekend's 1-1 home draw with Bishop's Stortford but tests revealed bruising rather than internal bleeding.

He was due to be assessed at training on Thursday and Bull said he would listen to the club's medical team before making a decision. He added: "If there's any concern we'll give him an extra week."

Brett Johnson, who came on as Goodman's replacement against Stortford, stands-by and Bull said he also has the option of switching Glenn Wilson to centre-back.