Sutton United boss Paul Doswell has admitted keeping Walton & Hersham’s Dave Tarpey under lock and key may be the only way of stopping him scoring at the weekend.

The 20-year-old has bagged 10 goals in five games since arriving at the Swans on loan from the Blue Square South Beavers, and is expected to feature when Walton visit Gander Green Lane to fight for a place in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round.

Doswell’s men warmed-up for the clash with a 1-0 win at Aveley - their second cleansheet in succession - that sees them in exactly the same position as they found themselves in at this stage last season.

Full-back Billy Hawes provided the ammunition for home defender Richard Ketchell to put through his own net, as Sutton have adopted a more defensive approach on the road in the last few weeks.

Doswell, who once played alongside Swans boss John Crumplin at county U18 level, expects his squad to be at full-strength for the clash with £7,500 up for grabs.

And the former Eastleigh chief insists it won’t be a lack of preparation that will be the problem should his old team mate get the better of him.

“Short of kidnapping David and sending him back to Hampton, I;m not sure how we’ll deal with him,” he said.

“I’ve been aware of him for a while and know what he can do, but stopping him scoring is another issue.

“I’ve known John for years and know his side will be competitive and organised, but our best chance of winning is if they come here trying to win.

“We’ve had them watched three times so we know what they are about. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the result goes against us. They are a good side.”

Sutton have won four of their last five matches and the switch to a 4-5-1 formation at Ryman League Premier Division new boys Aveley on Saturday paid immediate dividends.

“Scoring goals is never going to be a problem for us, but we needed to become more solid at the back,” added Doswell.

“It is something we have been working on in training. Sometimes it comes off for you, sometimes it doesn’t.

“We are a couple of points away from being second and we are starting to look like we can put a decent run together.”

Youngster Jerson Dos Santos, currently playing in the United reserves, will discuss his future at the club with the manager this week.

And Doswell reckons nothing would give him greater pleasure than getting another player in to the professional ranks.

“I’ll be dining out on getting Stefan Payne to Fulham for years. He is not the first kid I’ve helped and if I can get another youngster into the professional ranks it is a good reputation to have on your CV,” he said.

Sutton’s next three games: Oct 10 Aveley (FA Cup, h), 13 Hastings Utd (a), 17 Tonbridge Angels (FAT, h).