Sutton & Epsom head coach Martin Knights has warned his players they must erase the memory of defeat to Hertford if they want a top-four finish this season.

Knights's troops lost to the Hertfordshire side 27-17 earlier in the season in what the former Richmond chief described as one of the worst displays he has seen.

Skipper James Clarke and Austin Shephard are expected to be fit for Saturday's return fixture at Rugby Lane.

And Knights, whose side are fifth in London One table, believes their return will add the leadership his team were missing when they lost to Old Albanians last time out.

"We have not had James available for the past few weeks, which has made things a bit more difficult for us," he said.

"We have missed our leaders and no one has been able to step up to the plate.

"We have been a bit rudderless. James and Austin can give us the lift on the field when we need it most, and that will make a big difference.

"We have a score to settle, because the defeat to Hertford was probably the worst Sutton performance I have seen since I've been here."

Shephard has stood in as captain in recent weeks and will retain the armband on Saturday, with Knights unsure if number eight Clarke will be fit enough to last the distance after his lay-off.

Sutton's form since Christmas - in Clarke's absence - has been disappointing and their coach, who believes his side are already thinking about next year, admits it is all about getting back on the winning trail.

"It is a huge game for us and it is time we got back to putting in some hard work, because that has dropped off since the new year," he added.

"I had hoped to start looking towards next season, but now we must concentrate on winning the games we have coming up."