Saints aim to extend their lead at the top

Coach Craig Tyrrell, who is pressed into action once more with Glenn Le Tissier still likely to be out for another three weeks, is set to make five changes to the side who drew with Alderney a week ago.

Among those unavailable for today’s trip to Blanche Pierre Lane are broken-finger victim Damien Larkin, the suspended Sam Le Huray and also James Hudson, who has left for university.

However, both Rory and Fergus Moriarty are back for the yellows, who are also set to give new signing Adam Smith an outing at fullback.

‘It was a close game last time we played them,’ said Tyrrell of the 1-0 defeat to the league leaders a month ago.

‘We gave away a silly free-kick and they stuck in the header from that, but there were not many chances other than that and I think a draw would have been a fair result.

‘Going up there is never easy, but we will look to be hard to beat again and with Tom Dodds and Rory in there this time, hopefully we can create a few more chances.’

Saints coach Leon Meakin has selection headaches of a different kind with goalkeeper Jason Martin the only notable absentee.

His place will be taken by Jack Hamon, who was between the stick against Rovers earlier this season as part of St Martin’s six-game winning streak to start their campaign.

‘We have a couple of guys returning from injury who we will be having a look at in training to see if they make the squad,’ Meakin said, before confirming Jamie Dodd will be in it.

The Saints coach is simply looking for ‘more of the same really’ from his side.

‘We have only two more league games in October after this one so that’s not a lot of football during the month so we have to make sure that we pick up as many points as we can.

‘We have Rec then Rovers and Sylvans after that, so that’s three tough games.

‘When we played Rec earlier in the season, we won 1-0 and that has been one of the toughest games we have had to date so we will definitely not be underestimating them. They are a better team than their position currently suggests – they have been competitive in every one of their games.’

Tonight’s match kicks off at 7.30pm.

Tomorrow afternoon, Sylvans have the chance to leapfrog their visitors into second place in the table should they beat Rovers at St Peter’s (2.30pm kick off).

However, if Martyn de Garis’ side fail to win, Manzur will have the opportunity to go above the Westerners as they travel to Mount Hale to face Alderney (1pm kick off).

In tomorrow’s other top-flight game, Rangers host Bels at St Andrew’s (2pm kick off).