Injury-hit City next for Rooks

The game '“ brought forward to avoid Saturday's Israel v England European Championship qualifier '“ promises a good atmosphere with the hosts, who average over 1,100 for home games, expected to travel in force.

Lewes manager Steve King is trying to sign a left back on loan to replace Hamilton, sidelined by the thigh problem that has troubled him in recent weeks.

Lewes put in an approach for Horsham right back Nigel Brake but he is staying at Queen Street for the time being.

Salisbury, who were held to a goalless draw at home to Thurrock on Saturday, have big problems. Star striker Matt Tubbs is suspended for six games, goalkeeper Ryan Clarke damaged a hand against Thurrock and is said to be doubtful while Marvin Brown, who has 16 league goals this season and joined Salisbury from Weston-super-Mare earlier this month, has a groin injury and is expected to be missing for several weeks.

With another striker, Paul Sales, already sidelined it means that Declan McGregor could be used as a lone Salisbury striker at the Dripping Pan.

Histon, Braintree and Bishop's Stortford all won on Tuesday evening and the Rooks are five points off the playoff spots, but King still believes the fourth and fifth league positions are up for grabs.

Lewes drew 1-1 at Braintree on Saturday and King said: 'The match was bitty without too many chances but we would have won it but for a magnificent save from their goalkeeper Nick Morgan. Jamie Cade hit a great volley and Morgan was going the wrong way but managed to turn back and stop it. IIt was an unbelievable stop and I just stood and clapped, but he was helped by the fact that he is 6ft 7in and massive. In the end the draw was a fair result.'

Lewes went ahead in the 44th minute when Paul Booth intercepted a back pass from Billy Burgess and tucked the ball past Morgan.

Braintree were level five minutes into the second half. A Brad Quinton cross was floated across the Lewes 18-yard box and Mark Jones thundered home his header.

King said: 'We warned our players that Braintree would come at us early in the second half and they did just that.

'The goal came from poor defending. Matt McEntagart lost the ball and it was chipped to the back post where Steve Elliott was faced with a two-on-one situation and did not know which player to mark so did not attack the ball.'

On the hour Bertie Brayley crashed a shot against the Lewes crossbar while Cade was then thwarted by the Morgan stop.

Lewes's star midfielder Gary Holloway starts a two-match suspension on Saturday and misses Wednesday's Sussex Senior Cup semi-final against Worthing at Horsham's ground and next weekend's league visit to Welling, who are fifth in the table.