EVESHAM United skipper Lee Knight will be thrown back into the side facing Mangotsfield Town in Southern League Division One West's top-of-the-table clash tomorrow (3pm).

A one-match ban forced the no-nonsense defender to miss the Robins' disappointing 1-0 defeat at Sutton Coldfield before the 'flu kept him out of last Saturday's 2-1 win over Bracknell Town at Common Road.

United went a goal down to Bracknell and looked certain to slump to another defeat when midfield Leon Blake received his marching orders for throwing the ball in the face of an oppponent.

But Dave Busst's side fought back with two goals from striker Jermaine Clarke, maintaining United's second place behind leaders Mangotsfield.

Despite the heartening comeback, United's assistant boss Paul West admits the side lacked the leadership qualities of captain Knight.

West said: "Knighty has been under the weather and we missed him. At the end of the day, what he gives us out on the pitch is important, nagging other players and keeping them on their toes.

"He's the leader on the park for us and even if he's having a bad game he will not go quiet.

"You tend to find that some players go into their shell if things are not going right for them, but not Lee.

"He will always encourage the others and that's what you need.

"Conditions were not the best against Bracknell and unfortunately they scored from a free-kick. When Leon got sent off, the lads felt as though it was a backs-to-the-wall job and things started to gel a bit.

"Jermaine has won us the game with two late goals. He's a fantastic prospect and a good lad, although the guy is only 19 and we've got to be careful with him."

West added: "I think there are five or six teams now that will be challenging for automatic promotion. It's a case of whoever puts the best runs together are likely to go up.

"Mangotsfield are an excellent side and we are under no illusions that it will be very difficult. The players won't need any team talk or extra motivation to be up for this one."

Creative midfielder Gavin O'Toole has recovered from a calf injury and is expected to get a starting place at Cossham Street.