Sutton United centre-back Karim El-Salahi believes the club’s FA Cup run to the third qualifying round can help them find the consistency they need in the league.

Boss Paul Doswell’s men eased past Uxbridge 3-0 at Gander Green Lane on Saturday thanks to goals from skipper Jason Goodliffe, Sam Gargan and Anthony Joseph, to set up a clash with Ryman League Division One South Walton & Hersham.

It was United’s third win in four matches - and a first cleansheet since the opening day of the campaign - as they erased the memory of last week’s home defeat to Dartford by the same score.

Sutton are yet to put back-to-back league wins together this season and El-Salahi reckons the team’s recent form means achieving that feat is just around the corner with a trip to high-flying Aveley at the weekend.

“We are beginning to find a bit of consistency and whether that is in the FA Cup or in the league it can only be a good thing,” he said.

“Once you get on a bit of a run everything seems to happen a bit easier and fits into place.

“When you are flying and in form it doesn’t matter who you play, you have got a chance and hopefully we have started to turn that corner.”

El-Salahi, last year’s player of the year, has finally shaken off the effects of an ankle problem that has troubled him since the end of last season and is now approaching his best form.

“The game at the weekend was probably the first 90 minutes I have played this season without experiencing any pain,” he added.

“We had a good fitness session on Tuesday and I feel like my sharpness is near where it should be.”

The FA Cup draw with Walton has given Sutton a good chance of repeating last season’s run to the first round proper where they lost 1-0 to Notts County at the Lane.

El-Salahi played in that defeat and the 23-year-old is daring to dream of going one step further this time around.

“The fact Walton are in good form will make them difficult to play, but being at home gives us a massive advantage. It is a very winnable game if we approach it right,” he said.

“It is in our hands and if we play to our capabilities we should win. As a club we always want to get to the first round. You want to play against big teams and in nice stadiums.

“If we get there and get a bit more luck than last time, we could go further.”

Sutton’s next three games: Oct 3 Aveley (a), 10 Walton & Hersham (FAC, h), 13 Hastings United (a).