After a 3-1 win against Leicester Nirvana on Tuesday, the Blues prepare for the short trip up the M1 to face Eastwood Community at the Holbrooke Stadium on Saturday.

Long Eaton found themselves a goal down after 12 minutes played, as Jordan Nelson gave Nirvana an early lead. However, Alex Marshall and Micah Jebbison soon turned the score around and Tom Marshall extended the lead after the break. Sam Wilson was dismissed after denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity, but the home defence was staunch and held out for the win.

After a winless start to the season, a change in management has turned Eastwood’s fortunes around. The Red Badgers currently sit 12th in the Premier Division North, with four wins from their last six league matches.

Last time out Eastwood lost by a goal-to-nil away to Boston Town. The Poachers’ winning goal came in the 57th minute, courtesy of Aboubacar Sylla.

The hosts will be without their top-goalscorer Liam Hearn after he moved to league rivals Quorn last week. Hearn had scored eight goals in seven games before making the move.

Former Blue Romello Nangle has found the back of the net in three of Eastwood’s last six league matches but could be ruled out as he makes his return from an ankle injury.

Managers Quotes:

“I am under no illusion that it will be a tough game,” Ian Deakin said after Tuesday’s win against Leicester Nirvana.

"It’s my old club, I know a lot about the club, I know a lot of the players – they will be difficult.

“It’s always nice to go back to an old club but we will go there and try and get the three points as normal.

“We go into every game just trying to focus on what we are doing as a team and hopefully try and get three points. They wont play for a draw, and they will always go and attack. The way that we play, we are quite dynamic, they know their roles, where we want them to play, their shape.

“But we will give Eastwood the respect that they deserve – like every team we play against.

“Planning the next couple of games with a couple of bans coming in imminently is going to probably be the hardest part for me. But again, that is the beauty of having a strong squad.”

Matchday information:

Halbrooke Stadium, Eastwood, NG16 3HB

General Admission: £7

Concessions: £4

U16s: £3