Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has warned his strikers one faces being frozen out of Gander Green Lane following youngster Stefan Payne’s rapid rise up the pecking order.

The 17-year-old, who scored and impressed throughout in Saturday’s 3-3 friendly draw at Dulwich Hamlet, is one of five front-men on United’s first team books for the coming campaign.

Laurent Hamici - called up for a trial with the Algerian national squad this week - Bradley Woods-Garness, Payne, Billy Dunn and new signing from Brighton & Hove Albion Sam Gargan are all fighting for a spot in Doswell’s first choice front two.

And the Sutton chief admits the form of Payne has caused the conundrum, with more pressure mounting on teen rival Dunn.

“Stefan was brought in with the idea of him being in the reserves but we’ve been that impressed with him he has forced himself into the first team reckoning,” he said.

“It has put us in a bit of a spot because that gives us five strikers when we can only really afford to carry four.

“It has subsequently put more pressure on the other strikers because they now know they are not certain of being at the club this season if they don’t perform.

“We might have to look at one going out on loan or letting one go. The advantage is they are all young players so don’t cost us a great deal anyway.”

Former Dulwich Hamlet striker Hamici, who found the scoresheet against his former club at the weekend, flew out to Algeria for a training camp with the national side hoping to force his way into the reckoning for a slot at the African Cup of Nations in December.

It means he could miss next Tuesday’s gilt-edged friendly with Tottenham Hotspur at Gander Green Lane, which Doswell is hoping will attract at least a four-figure crowd - boosted by news new signing Peter Crouch might appear on the team sheet.

“We’ve been promised a strong team and tickets sales have been going well. A Spurs team played at Aldershot last week and they had a gate of more than 3,000,” he added.

“Peter Crouch didn’t travel with the Spurs squad to the Far East, so we are hoping he might be due a run out with his new club next week.”

Next three fixtures: Aug 8 Met Police (a), Aug 11 Tottenham Hotspur (h), Aug 15 Margate (h).