Poppies ready to host the Bulls in another 'big game'

The Poppies drew 1-1 at home to Gloucester City on Saturday while the Bulls travelled to mid-table Farsley Celtic and won 2-1.

Both teams sit towards the lower end of the table with the Poppies seven points behind their opponents but have four games in hand.

Crucially, Saturday's point moved Cox's team eight clear of the relegation zone with this evening's clash giving them an opportunity to make the gap between themselves and Blyth Spartans even wider.

"It’s another big game for us," the Kettering manager said.

"They’re all big games and we’ve got them coming thick and fast.

"I'm glad that we got Saturday played because it’s been a month since we last played.

"At least we can get into a bit more of a rhythm from tonight onwards, because in certain parts of the game, especially in the final third, we look a bit rusty.

"We want the games to be played. The players would rather play on Saturday and Tuesday than train!"

Injuries mean the Poppies squad is thin on the ground at a time of the season when fixtures are beginning to pile-up as a result of postponements.

Cox admits that his side needs strengthening, but had some good news as he revealed that tough-tackling midfielder Michael Richens would return against Hereford.

Kettering lost 1-0 when they travelled to Edgar Road in September, the first meeting since the Bulls did the double over the Poppies in the 2017-18 Southern Premier League season.