PHIL Mullen has been named the manager of the month in the Western Division of the Dr Martens League.

And the Evesham manager was quick to dispel fears that the award could prove the "kiss of death" as his top of the table side prepare for Saturday's trip to second placed Shepshed.

"There's no chance of that happening," he declared. Although he did admit that the next few games would give him an insight as to how far his unbeaten side could go this term.

"I am not going to suggest that if we win the next three league games then the title race is over," he said. "But I have gone on record in saying that the matches will give us an idea of what our chances are of staying at the top."

Mullen will send out an unchanged side and he will have former Shepshed midfielder Michael Stephenson on the bench.

"It's all very vibrant at the moment but nobody is getting carried away," he admitted cautiously.

Mullen revealed that Paul Burton was back in full training, while Paul West is a week away from fitness. Ross Knight, however, is awaiting a scan on his injured knee.

United face Bilston Town next Tuesday in the League Cup (7.45) in a tie sponsored by Willersey Provisions. The club's youth team suffered knockout misery last Thursday, losing 5-3 to Worcester City in the FA Youth Cup. Nick Emms, Michael Duncan and James Brown scored for United.